Check cashing automated banking machine

ABSTRACT

An automated banking machine is operated at least in part to data read from data bearing records. The machine is operative to carry out a financial transfer responsive at least in part to a determination that data read through a card reader of the machine corresponds to a financial account that is authorized to conduct a transaction through operation of the machine. The machine also includes a check acceptor operative to receive checks from machine users. The check acceptor is operative image checks and data resolved from check images is used in operation of the machine to cause financial transfers.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/366,290 filed on Dec. 1, 2016 that is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 14/684,084 filed on Apr. 10, 2015, now U.S. Pat.No. 9,519,896, that is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.13/793,246 filed on Mar. 11, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,004,353, thatclaims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Applications 61/685,122 filedMar. 12, 2012 and 61/743,941 filed Sep. 14, 2012. The disclosures of allof the above mentioned applications are herein incorporated by referencein their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to banking systems controlled by data bearingrecords.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Automated banking machines may include a card reader that operates toread data from a data bearing record such as a user card. Automatedbanking machines may operate to cause the data read from the card to becompared with other computer stored data related to the card bearer orthe bearer's financial accounts. The machine operates in response to thecomparison determining that the bearer record corresponds to anauthorized user, to carry out at least one transaction which may beoperative to transfer value to or from at least one account. A record ofthe transaction is also often printed through operation of the automatedbanking machine and provided to the user. Automated banking machines maybe used to carry out transactions such as dispensing cash, the making ofdeposits, the transfer of funds between accounts, and account balanceinquiries. The types of banking transactions that may be carried out aredetermined by the capabilities of the particular banking machine andsystem, as well as the programming of the institution operating themachine.

Other types of automated banking machines may be operated by merchantsto carry out commercial transactions. These transactions may include,for example, the acceptance of deposit bags, the receipt of checks orother financial instruments, the dispensing of rolled coin, or othertransactions required by merchants. Still other types of automatedbanking machines may be used by service providers in a transactionenvironment such as a bank to carry out financial transactions. Suchtransactions may include for example, the counting and storage ofcurrency notes or other financial instrument sheets, the dispensing ofnotes or other sheets, the imaging of checks or other financialinstruments, and other types of transactions. For purposes of thisdisclosure an automated banking machine shall be deemed to include anymachine that may be used to carry out transactions involving automatedtransfers of value.

When banks are open for business, customers begin to enter the bank. Thebank usually has no advance notice when a banking customer is going toenter the bank or how many customers will enter the bank for any giventime period. At the time a banking customer enters a bank the bank hasno way of knowing which type of transaction the banking customer isgoing to request, or if the banking customer will be requesting multipletransactions. If all customers currently in a bank approach the telleror any other human or machine resource of the bank at the same time,that banking resource may become overburdened and unable to process allthe banking customer requests in a timely matter. Long wait times mayoccur and the banking customers at the end of a line for a particularbanking service may have a negative banking experience.

When a banking customer enters a bank, he may not know where to proceedto conduct a particular banking transaction. The banking customer mayneed to resort to looking for signs pointing him to the area of the bankto conduct the particular transaction he desires to conduct.Alternatively, the banking customer may need to resort to looking for amap of the banking branch or facility so he may determine from a mapwhere to conduct his transaction.

When a banking customer enters a bank branch, he often will want toconduct multiple transactions. The banking customer may have no way ofknowing which bank resources are busy and which are available. Thebanking customer may just have to guess or just pick the transaction toconduct first by random thought process. If the banking customer guessesin a way that directs him to a resource for which there is a long wait,he will spend more time to complete his transactions.

Often when the banking customer needs to personally speak with a personwho has more than just clerical authority, such as a banking officer,that officer may be busy. The banking customer may need to wait in awaiting area. The banking customer may leave the waiting area to talkwith a friend, use the restroom, or simply get tired and leave the bank.Also, when the busy banking officer becomes free, the officer may go tothe waiting area to greet the banking customer waiting to see them.However, because the bank officer often does not know what the waitingbanking customer looks like, the bank officer needs to resort to callingthe customer's name near the waiting area. The banking officer often maynot have any way of knowing if the banking customer has left the waitingarea or the bank.

For many banking transactions such as opening a new account, bankingcustomers need to provide the bank information about themselves.Typically, a banking officer may call the banking customer to thebanking officer's desk and then begin to ask the banking customer a lotof questions. For example, the bank officer may ask the banking customerfor the customer's name, address, phone numbers, place of employment,who in the family may access the account, and then a series of questionsabout what type of account the customer is interested in opening.Sometimes as the banking customer provides the information to a bankingofficer, mistakes are made when the banking officer enters the bankingcustomer information into the banking computer systems. The officer mayhit the wrong keyboard key, and because the banking customer may not belooking at the computer screen the officer is looking at, the error goesundetected. Other banking customers may speak with an accent that ishard for the banking officer to understand, so errors may be enteredinto the banking computer system because of a misunderstanding betweenthe banking customer and banking officer.

Bank tellers and officers often need to follow a precise sequence ofevents to properly process a banking customer banking request. There maybe a certain sequence of steps to authenticating checks and a differentsequence of steps to issue a certificate of deposit. Because bankingemployees need to follow many different sequences for many differenttypes of banking transactions, sometimes steps are omitted or performedincorrectly. Often several different forms are filled out for each of avariety of banking transactions. Because banking employees need to knowwhich of several forms correspond with each transaction, mistakes aremade by forgetting to fill out a form, filling out the wrong form ormaking a mistake while filling out a form.

Banking machines, systems, and customer service may benefit fromimprovements.

OVERVIEW OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

In an example embodiment, described herein is an automated bankingmachine that is operable to determine that a first card data read by acard reader associated with the automated banking machine corresponds toa financial account on which transactions are authorized to be conductedautomatically through an operation of the automated banking machine,wherein the automated banking machine comprises the card reader, adisplay, and a check acceptor. The automated banking machine is furtheroperable to obtain an electronic image corresponding to one side of auser input check from a check acceptor, resolve check data from theelectronic image, wherein the check data includes a check amount, andautomatically cause the check amount to be credited to the financialaccount through the operation of a first transaction authorizationcomputer remote from the automated banking machine. The automatedbanking machine is further operable to obtain second card data readthrough the operation of the card reader, which second card data doesnot correspond to a financial account on which transactions areauthorized to be conducted automatically through the operation of theautomated banking machine, to be sent to a second transactionauthorization computer remote from the machine that is different fromthe first transaction authorization computer. Other embodiments includea method and a computer readable medium with instructions encodedthereon for implementing the functionality of the automated bankingmachine.

In an example embodiment, described herein is an intermediate computerthat is located intermediate to an automated banking machine and firstand second remote computers. The intermediate computer receives messagesfrom the automated banking machine, include first card datacorresponding to a financial account for authorization by a firsttransaction authorization computer, check data, and second card datathat does not correspond to a financial account on which transactionsare authorized to be conducted automatically through the operation ofthe automated banking machine that is authorized by the secondtransaction authorization computer. The intermediate computerselectively routes the received messages to either a first transactionauthorization computer or the second transaction authorization computer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an example schematic representation of a computer system usedin a banking operation.

FIG. 2 is an example floor plan of the interior of a banking facility.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are schematic diagrams of a method associated withprocessing banking customer transactions using a welcome terminal.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a method associated with processingbanking customer transaction requests made from a mobile device.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a method associated with processingbanking transactions using a surface computer.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a method associated with processingbanking transactions in a manner personal to the customer.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a method associated with improvedbanking security using security levels.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a method associated with improvedbanking security using security zones.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of example software used to improvebanking customer transactions.

FIG. 11 is a schematic logic flow diagram of an example user interfacesequence for a request by a non-banking customer to cash a check.

FIG. 12 is a schematic logic flow diagram of an example interfacesequence for a request by a banking customer to transfer funds toanother bank and apply for a loan.

FIG. 13 is a schematic logic flow diagram of an example interfacesequence for a request by a banking customer for foreign currencyexchange.

FIG. 14 is a schematic logic flow diagram of an example interfacesequence for a request by a high profile banking customer for access toa banking resource.

FIG. 15 shows a front view of a customer touch screen.

FIG. 16 shows a front view of a service provider touch screen.

FIG. 17 shows a side view of a shared station having dual touch screens.

FIG. 18 shows a top view of a bank that houses a bank teller station,bank customer stations, and a bank teller area.

FIG. 19 shows a plurality of customer stations that are remotely locatedfrom a shared service provider station, which can communicate with eachrespective customer station.

FIG. 20 shows a top view of a banking area that houses a bank tellerarea and banking enclosures.

FIG. 21 shows a top view of a banking enclosure with a terminal.

FIG. 22 shows a top view of a banking enclosure with a surface computer.

FIG. 23 shows a partial top view of an automatic banking machine locatedoutside of a bank or store.

FIG. 24 shows a top view of a bank and its parking lot.

FIG. 25 shows a top view of a customer in a vehicle next to an automaticbanking machine.

FIG. 26 shows a front view of a customer's mobile computing device. FIG.27 shows a front view of a transaction screen.

FIG. 28 shows a partial front view of a center console of a vehicle.

FIG. 29 is an example schematic representation of a computer system usedin a banking operation.

FIG. 30 shows a front view of a transaction screen of an automatedbanking machine.

FIG. 31 shows a front view of a transaction screen of an automatedbanking machine.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Incorporated herein by reference in their entirety are the disclosuresof U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,438,220; 7,438,222; 7,438,221; 7,438,219; 7,431,204;7,433,844; 7,431,206; 7,428,984; 7,424,972; 7,416,112; 7,418,592;7,419,089; 7,419,093; 7,404,515; 7,405,724; 6,702,181; and 7,392,937.These patents disclose devices and systems used to carry out bankingtransactions, as well as features, methods, and capabilities that may beused in connection with the example devices, systems, and methodsdescribed herein.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly FIG. 1, there is shown anexample schematic representation of a banking computer system 100. Itshould be understood that while only an example number of each componentof the banking computer system 100 may be shown in the example bankingcomputer system 100 of FIG. 1, in other example embodiments the bankingcomputer system 100 may contain any number of the same or differentnetwork components.

The example embodiment may include a communication network 102. Thenetwork 102 may extend within a banking office building or otherfacility, or may be distributed among a plurality of banking officebuildings or facilities. In the example embodiment the network 102comprises a data transport network environment such as a packet-switchedTCP/IP-based global communication network. In the example embodiment thenetwork 102 may comprise a number of network devices such as routers,bridges, gateways, firewalls and any other device known in the art toallow the network 102 to be operable to provide communications betweenconnected devices and systems. The network 102 may be a suitablycomprised network including various message transport mechanisms suchas, for example, Ethernet, Token-Ring, TM, 802.11, or other wire-basedor mobile-based data communication mechanisms.

The network 102 may comprise a local area network (LAN) and may beoperatively connected through a larger wide area network (WAN) 104. TheWAN is in operative connection to one or more computers located at ahost bank facility 106 and may be operatively connected to a pluralityof computers located at other banking facilities 108. The WAN or LAN mayalso be operatively connected to the Internet 112.

A plurality of devices operative to conduct banking or other financialtransactions may be operatively connected to the example network 102. Aserver 90 may be operatively connected to the network that includessoftware running therein that causes the carrying out of bankingtransactions, operates to manage banking databases, and carry out otherprogrammed functions. The server 90 may be connected to one or more datastores schematically represented as data storage device 110. The networkmay be directly operatively connected to one or more data storagedevices 110.

Teller terminals 22 may be operatively connected to the network 102. Theteller terminals 22 may include computers with associated input andoutput devices or other devices that are operative to run softwareprograms locally and may be connected to data storage devices 110. Theexample teller 22 terminal may comprise a thin client softwarearchitecture in operative connection with a server running applicationsrequested by the teller terminal 22. Alternatively the teller terminalmay comprise a computer operative to run some applications locallytherein while accessing other applications that are run remotely onanother computer such as a server 90. In some example embodiments tellerterminals comprise automated banking machines. In the example system,one or more banking computers 20 may be operatively connected to theexample network 102. A banking computer 20 may comprise one of variousforms of computers, including for example, a laptop, surface computer,desktop computer, embedded computer, self service terminal, automatedbanking machine, or handheld device operative to run applications usefulin banking transactions.

The example banking system 100 contains an automated banking machine 88that in the example embodiment performs the functions of a currencyexchange terminal. The currency exchange terminal is in operativeconnection with the network 102. The terminal operates in accordancewith its programming to carry out currency exchange transactions.

A welcome terminal 10 is schematically represented in FIG. 1, anddiscussed in more detail later, and is operatively connected to thenetwork 102. The terminal 10 is in operative connection with one or moredata stores schematically represented by data storage device 110. Thewelcome terminal 10 is operatively connected to a camera 74 which isoperative to capture images. The welcome terminal may include featuresdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,583,813, which is herein incorporated byreference in its entirety. Alternatively, the welcome terminal may be inoperative connection with a separate computer or system which includesthe features and capabilities of the incorporated disclosure. Theexample welcome terminal 10 includes a plurality of input and outputdevices 46 operatively connected to at least one computer in the welcometerminal 10. Example input devices may include a keypad 32, a keyboard34, a mouse, 36, a microphone 42, biometric input device 56, a cardreader 92 and an antenna 48.

Example output devices may include a speaker 38 and a display 44. Thewelcome terminal may also include a computer input and output devicesuch as a touch screen. The terminal may also include other types ofdevices for reading data bearing records, such as an RFID reader, NFCdevice, document scanner, check reader, or other such devices forexample. The welcome terminal 10 may be operative to run softwarelocally in its computer to cause the terminal to carry out all orportions of banking customer transactions. In some embodiments, welcometerminal 10 may comprise a thin client software architecture that maycause another computer such as a server 90, to cause the execution ofsoftware applications based on inputs to the terminal. The examplewelcome terminal may include features like those in the incorporateddisclosures and may have a computer including browser software operatingtherein. The computer architecture may operate to interpret and generatemarkup language documents for purposes of sending and receiving data andinterface content which is exchanged with one or more remote computers.Of course this approach is an example.

The welcome terminal 10 may be operative to display or communicateadvertising tailored to a particular customer it may have detected andmay have recognized. For example, in some example embodiments theterminal may operate using features such as those described in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/827,966 filed Jul. 13, 2007. In such asystem, for example, the user terminal may identify a user based on dataread from a user card, other data bearing record that identifies thecustomer, and/or their financial accounts. Such identification of acustomer from such inputs may be used to provide targeted outputinformation through the welcome terminal in the manner of theincorporated disclosure. In some embodiments the welcome terminal maycomprise an automated banking machine at which users can carry outtransactions that include transfers of value. Some example embodimentsof the welcome terminals or other terminals connected in the system mayinclude features and capabilities like those shown in U.S. patentapplication Ser. Nos. 7,494,046; 7,490,760; 7,494,054; 7,487,910;7,503,481, the disclosures of each of which are herein incorporated byreference in their entirety.

In some example embodiments the example banking computer system 100 maybe further comprised of a plurality of cameras 70 operatively connectedto one or more computers in the network. The cameras 70 may be capableof capturing a series of images. For example, the cameras may beoperative to capture data corresponding to visible and/or infraredimages. The cameras in the example embodiment may be operativelyconnected to the network 102 through a camera interface device 72 whichmay be of the type discussed in the incorporated disclosures. The camerainterface device 72 may include a suitable network interface card orsimilar circuitry that enables the camera to operatively communicatewith other computers and devices in the schematically indicated bankingcomputer system 100.

In other example embodiments, the terminal may include an optical cardreader based on a camera or some other sensors built into the terminal.The terminal would be able to identify the user's card by merely viewingit through the optical card reader.

In some example embodiments the banking computer system 100 may furthercontain one or more antenna 80 operatively connected to the network. Theantenna 80 may be operatively connected to the network 102 through amobile interface device 82. The mobile interface device 82 may include asuitable network interface card or similar mechanism that enables RFsignals to be sent or received through the antenna 80. The interface andantenna enable RF communications with one or more computersschematically indicated banking computer system 100. The antenna 80 inthe example embodiment may operatively communicate with mobile devicesinternal or external to a banking facility such as cellular phones,laptop computers, handheld devices, and personal digital assistants(PDAs). The antenna 80 in example embodiments may provide communicationthrough one or more suitable mobile frequencies such as cellular,802.11, and Bluetooth frequencies, for example.

For example, some example embodiments may include features such as thosedescribed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,315,195; 6,702,181; 7,040,533; 7,201,313;7,216,800; 6,905,072; 7,207,477; 7,418,427; 7,150,393; 7,025,256;7,344,066; 7,392,938; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/983,163filed Nov. 7, 2007. The disclosures of each of these patents andapplication are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. Thefeatures of these incorporated disclosures may be used in connectionwith systems in various embodiments.

An example floor plan of a banking facility is schematically shown inFIG. 2. In the example embodiment one or more welcome terminals 10 maybe placed near the front door 99 of the banking facility 200. Theexample banking facility 200 includes a waiting area 60 where a bankingcustomer may wait if the resources he needs to conduct the desiredbanking transactions are currently busy. In the example arrangement forconducting transactions such as depositing checks, purchasing acertificate of deposit, or withdrawing of cash from an existing account,a plurality of resources comprising teller windows 50 may be provided.One or more of the teller windows 50 have adjacent thereto a tellerterminal 22 (not shown in FIG. 2).

Such teller terminals in example embodiments may be operative responsiveto inputs by human tellers to assist in processing banking customertransactions. In other embodiments, the teller terminals may comprise anautomated banking machine terminal that receives inputs from customers.In still other example embodiments, teller terminals may include inputand output devices that can be operated by both the human teller orother service provider and a customer, to carry out bankingtransactions. It should be understood that in example embodiments theteller terminals include a computer with connected input and outputdevices that provide an interface to the teller and/or customer. Theinput and output devices are operative to cause the computer to causethe carrying out of transactions in accordance with the provided inputs.The teller terminal is also operative to communicate in the network withother computers so as to indicate activities at the teller terminal.This activity, which may be evidenced by a receipt of inputs at theterminal and/or through communications to other computers in the system,may be used to indicate the activity ongoing at the particular resource,and also that nature of such activities, to the other computers. Suchinformation may be used in example embodiments for purposes ofdetermining through operation of the computer a time after which theteller station will become available to conduct transactions for otherbanking customers. Of course it should be understood that theseapproaches are examples, and in other embodiments other approaches maybe used.

An office used for applying for a loan such as a mortgage or a car loan,30, and a new account office 40 used for opening new accounts or otherbanking officer transactions, are shown in the example embodiment ofFIG. 2. Each office 30, 40 may contain a banking computer or terminal 20operative to process transactions responsive to inputs corresponding tothe appropriate customer requests. Terminals 20 may include a computerwith connected input and output devices which provide a suitableinterface for the input and receipt of the transaction data associatedwith the type of transactions to be conducted at those resources. As isthe case with the previously discussed teller terminals, terminals 20are in operative connection with other computers in a network.

The activities conducted at the terminals 20 and the messages that passbetween such terminals and other computers are analyzed throughoperation of one or more computers in the system. Such analysis may beused to determine when the resource associated with a particularterminal is likely to become available, through operation of one or morecomputers connected in the system operating in accordance withprogrammed instructions to analyze the activities and/or messages fromsuch terminals to make such a determination. The terminals or othercomputers may also be in operative connection with cameras, motionssensors, light sensors or other suitable sensors in the rooms that canprovide signals indicative of when each room has persons presenttherein. Of course this approach is an example and in other embodimentsother approaches may be used.

The banking facility 200 may contain cameras 70 for capturing images.The data corresponding to which images can be used for recognizingcustomers and tracking customers within a banking facility 200. Suchcameras may be in operative connection with suitable interfaces andcomputers so as to enable such computers to identify and/or determinethe location of persons within the facility. Connected computers may beoperative to analyze such image data to determine the locations ofparticular individuals in various locations. This may include, forexample, the number of customers waiting to use a particular resource.It may also include evaluating the number of customers in variousoffices or in waiting areas at automated banking machine terminals, orin other locations, so as to provide data which is used by the computersfor purposes of determining how to direct customers so as to accomplishtransactions in the most expeditious manner. Such information may alsobe used to help assure that available resources within the bankingfacility are utilized effectively. For example, in some embodiments oneor more connected computers may operate responsive to an indication thatthere are multiple customers waiting to access one resource, while aservice provider such as a teller or a bank officer is currently notoccupied at another resource. A computer may operate in accordance witha determination that such conditions exist, to cause a message to besent to the resource to advise the bank employee who is currently notoccupied to switch to another resource location within the facility, soas to assure that transactions for customers are accomplished promptly.Of course these approaches are examples.

In operation, the examples welcome terminal 10 operates to displayadvertising through a display to banking customers. The welcome terminal10 may also be operative to provide outputs that describe what bankingtransactions or services are available at the banking facility 200 wherethe welcome terminal 10 is located. The welcome terminal 10 may bepositioned inside the banking location near a customer entrance. Inother arrangements, the terminal may be located outside the bank in alocation that may attract banking customers to cause them to provideinputs which correspond to banking transactions they may like toperform.

In some example embodiments, when a banking customer approaches thewelcome terminal 10 in response to one of the advertisements, thewelcome terminal 10 may operate to prompt the banking customer toprovide inputs responsive to the outputs through the display 44, speaker38 and other suitable output devices corresponding to what attracted thebanking customer to the advertisement. The customer may be identified bythe terminal operating to read data from data bearing records whichidentify the customer. This may include a user card that is read throughoperation of a reading device in the welcome terminal. Such a user cardmay include a magnetic stripe card, RFID card, NFC card, customer Fob,token, mobile device, passbook, fingerprint, or other data bearingrecord which provides data usable to identify the customer or thecustomer's financial accounts. In some example embodiments the welcometerminal 10 is then operative to tailor a response to the bankingcustomer to provide further detailed information of further interest tothe banking customer. This may be done in the manner described in U.S.Pat. No. 7,246,082 which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety. Of course this approach is an example, and in otherembodiments other approaches may be used.

In some example embodiments the welcome terminal 10 may be operable touse a camera 74 on the welcome terminal or other cameras 70 operativelyconnected to the network 102 to capture images of a banking customer ator approaching the welcome terminal. By processing the image data usingimage recognition software locally or such software in operativeconnection with other computers, the banking customer may be identified.For example, some embodiments may utilize the features described in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/825,553 filed Jul. 6, 2007, thedisclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

When the banking customer is identified, information about the bankingcustomer may be retrieved through operation of one or more computers,from a database 110. Such computers may be in a welcome terminal 10 ormay be other computers connected in the banking computer system 100. Byusing the retrieved customer information, a personalized advertisementor other tailored messages may be presented to the banking customerthrough one or more output devices on the welcome terminal. In someexample embodiments a computer may operate to cause a personalizedgreeting to be displayed on the welcome terminal 10 to greet the bankingcustomer. In other example embodiments data corresponding to the mostrecent transactions of the banking customer may be displayed on thewelcome terminal, and the welcome terminal 10 may provide outputs thatprompt the banking customer to provide selected inputs if they wouldlike to perform a transaction like one of the transactions displayed.The banking customer may then provide one or more inputs operative toselect one or more transaction types they would like to perform at thebanking facility 200. In an example embodiment, the welcome terminal mayoperate in accordance with its programming to cause indiciacorresponding to the desired tasks to graphically appear in a list in anarea of the display 44 of the welcome terminal 10 for reference by thebanking customer.

In some example embodiments when the banking customer is not interestedin the advertising and does not provide an identifying input in responsethereto, and the customer is not recognized in another manner, thebanking customer may otherwise identify himself to the welcome terminal10. In some example embodiments the banking customer may identifyhimself by inserting a data bearing record such as a bank or credit cardinto a card reader 92. In some example embodiments, the user may also oralternatively enter a personal ID number (PIN) through the keypad 32 orenter a password through the keyboard 34. In some example embodimentsthe banking customer may be identified by the welcome terminal 10 bysensing biometric data with a biometric data input device 56. Such abiometric input device may include a fingerprint reader, iris scanner,retina scan, hand scanner, voice print recognition device, or othersuitable device that can recognize a biometric input associate with auser. At least one computer operatively connected in the system willthen operate in accordance with its programming to analyze the receiveddata and compare it with stored data to identify the particular user whohas provided the input. In some embodiments the computer may operate toidentify a user in response to multiple inputs or combinations of inputsthat can be analyzed and correlated with a particular user. After abanking customer identity has been determined, the welcome terminal 10may operate to retrieve the banking customer account information andpresent it to the banking customer through the display 44 or otheroutput device, for example.

If the banking customer is not recognized and not verified, he may beprompted to provide inputs indicating what type of new customer bankingproduct or service he may be interested in. In some example embodimentsthe new customer may be shown on a welcome terminal 10 output deviceindicia corresponding to types of accounts the banking customer may openthat the banking location 200. The new banking customer may be promptedwith account information tailored to the type of account that thebanking customer selected. The welcome terminal may also operate tooutput indicia corresponding to other types of banking transactions andservices which are offered by the banking facility. The banking customermay provide inputs to the terminal indicating the type of transaction orservice in which the customer is interested. In some example embodimentswhen a possible new banking customer is detected, an image of thebanking customer may be captured responsive to operation of one or morecomputers in the banking computer system 100. The image is sent to aterminal or other output device in proximity to a banking employee toallow the banking employee to offer a more personal welcome greeting tothe banking customer.

In some example embodiments when an existing customer or a new customerhas provided inputs to the welcome terminal 10 indicating a request toopen an account or process a banking transaction, the banking customermay be prompted through outputs from the welcome terminal to beginentering customer information at the welcome terminal 10 related to theactivity or transaction that the banking customer is capable ofentering. The information may include the name, address, phone number,income history and other personal information of the banking customerpertinent to the requested transaction. If the banking customer is anexisting or former customer, then the personal data of that customer maybe retrieved through operation of one or more computers from a databaseon the computer network 100. The data associated with the bankingcustomer may be used at the welcome terminal 10 to supply data for therequested transaction along with data the banking customer has enteredat the welcome terminal 10. For example in some example embodiments, thewelcome terminal may operate in accordance with its computer'sprogramming to provide an output that asks the banking customer toconfirm information that is retrieved through operation of the bank'scomputer from the data store. In this way, information that has changedcan be updated. This might include, for example, contact information forthe user, including information such as new cell phone numbers, e-mailaddresses, a mailing address or other information that may be helpful interms of providing services to the customer.

In some example embodiments the welcome terminal 10 may be in operativecommunication with a pre-transaction processing system that includestask analyzer software, task queuing manager software, and way findingsoftware. In some example embodiments portions of each of these softwarefunctions may reside on different banking computers or computers inresources in the banking computer system 100, which are operable toexecute software instructions. In some example embodiments the bankingcomputer system 100 architecture may be balanced and the software andcorresponding databases 110 distributed among operatively connectedcomputers in a way that allows for a banking computer system 100 thathas high throughput of customer transactions and reasonable bankingcomputer system 100 costs. Of course those approaches may be used indifferent embodiments.

In some example embodiments task analyzer software is operative toanalyze the desired banking transactions identified by a bankingcustomer and determine which tasks (if any) a banking resource couldcurrently begin. For example, if the banking customer indicated theywanted to do a transfer and apply for a home equity line of credit, abanking system computer may begin to execute steps in accordance withits programming to process the home equity line of credit first. Thebanking resource such as a computer terminal located in the office towhich the customer will eventually be directed to review and sign loanpapers may begin to operate in response to communication with one ormore other computers to begin to populate the forms with data that isavailable in connected databases in the banking system. Thus the bankingresource that will be associated with the transaction will begin to takethe steps necessary to open the home equity line of credit to the extentpossible without customer or banking officer involvement. When thebanking customer is later directed to the home equity loan officer, thehome equity loan officer would already have some of the necessary workcompleted. The capability of pre-processing banking customer bankingtransactions may produce a more pleasant, efficient and integratedbanking experience for the banking customer. The bank may benefit inreduced employee cost and with less resources needed to process bankingcustomer transactions. Of course this approach is an example, and inother embodiments other approaches may be used.

In some example embodiments task queuing manager software would beoperative to determine how the requested banking transactions may mostefficiently be completed. In the example embodiment the task queuingmanager software may dynamically determine the best and most efficientway to prompt the banking customer on how to accomplish the requestedtransactions. For example, a banking customer may indicate a desire toperform two types of transactions. One transaction may be performed at acurrency exchange terminal 88 rather than the welcome station. Thesecond transaction may need a banking employee teller to accomplish thetask (purchase a certificate of deposit, for example). The task queuingmanager software may be operative in real-time to look at theavailability of the two banking resources required. If it is discoveredthat the currency exchange terminal 88 was not being used at that time,but all the teller stations operating were currently busy, the bankingcustomer would be directed through outputs from the welcome terminal tothe currency exchange terminal 88 to perform that banking transactionfirst.

The banking customer may be directed to the currency exchange terminal88 by displaying a prompt on the display 44 of the welcome terminal 10.The banking customer may also be presented a map output on the display44 showing how to proceed from the welcome terminal 10 to the currencyexchange terminal 88. At the same time, the banking customer may beplaced in a “virtual queue” for a teller station. When the bankingcustomer finishes the currency exchange transaction, the currencyexchange terminal 88 may then be operative responsive to messages fromthe computer establishing the virtual queue to direct the bankingcustomer to the appropriate teller station.

A teller at the station to which the customer is directed may beexpecting a banking customer with any “pre-work” already completed. Suchwork may be accomplished through communications between the tellerterminal at the particular teller station and one or more computerswhich are operative to accomplish the necessary processing stepsassociated with the transaction type which the customer indicated thecustomer wished to conduct through inputs at the welcome terminal. Thetask analyzer software discussed earlier operates to cause the bankingteller terminal in conjunction with the teller at that station toaccomplish the preliminary work. Alternatively, if the currency exchangeterminal 10 was not immediately available but a teller station wasavailable, then the task queuing manager software would be operative todirect the banking customer to proceed to the banking teller station andthen the customer would then be directed to the currency exchangeterminal 88 after the transaction at the teller station was completed.

In the example embodiment the way finding software may be operative toanalyze outputs from the queuing manager software. In some exampleembodiments the way finding software may be operable to generate outputsthat include directions that may be presented to the banking customer onresources which include devices operatively connected in the bankingnetwork 102. The directions may be presented to the banking customerthrough a display in the welcome terminal 10, currency exchange terminal88, banking terminal, a display at a teller location 50, waiting area60, a display surface of a surface computer, or any device locationthrough which a banking customer may receive directions. Other resourceswithin the banking facility may include transaction stations such asthose described in patent application Ser. No. 10/390,342 filed Mar. 17,2003, and/or Ser. No. 11/100,148 filed Apr. 5, 2005, the disclosures ofeach of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.Such resources may also include terminals used in connection withaccessing facilities such as safety deposit box areas in vaults such asthose described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/004,758 filedDec. 21, 2007, the disclosure of which is also incorporated herein byreference in its entirety. In addition, in some example embodimentsresources may include transaction stations located in walk-through ordrive-through lanes associated with the banking facility. These mayinclude systems such as those described in U.S. patent application Ser.No. 11/825,752 filed Jul. 9, 2007, the disclosure of which is hereinincorporated by reference in its entirety. Of course these resources,devices, features and functions are examples, and in other embodimentsother approaches may be used.

In some example embodiments the directions to customers may be providedin audio format from any location which includes a suitable outputdevice from which a banking customer may receive audio directions. Inexample embodiments the directions may be output to allow a bankingcustomer to find the way to the next destination which has a resource tocomplete the next in a series of banking transactions the customerwishes to conduct. For example, when the queuing system softwaredetermined the banking customer was to proceed to the currency exchangeterminal 88, the way-finding analyzer would operate using datacorresponding to that destination along with data corresponding to theknown current location at which the banking customer is interacting withother devices on the banking system 100, to resolve a route for thebanking customer to follow. A route may be shown graphically to thebanking customer in the form of a map in the context of the floor planof the banking facility 200. In some example embodiments the map may bedisplayed on an output device on a resource or through output deviceswhere the banking customer is currently located in the banking facility.

In some example embodiments, the financial institution or bank 200 mayprovide location based services, such as an alerting system, whereby auser or customer may know when a terminal 760, automated banking machineis nearby or when that customer is approaching such a machine via theirmobile computing device 764, such as a smart phone, PDA, or the like.The automated transaction machine may include for example featuresdescribed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,010,065; 6,273,413; 6,505,717; 6,573,983;and/or 6,839,688, the disclosures of each of which are incorporatedherein by reference in their entirety.

The alerting system may be operatively connected to a computer bankingsystem 100, such as that shown in FIG. 1. For example, the customer mayhave a location based service application running on their phone 764. Insome example embodiments the terminal 760 may be in operativecommunication with a location based service application, such as thealerting system. In some example embodiments portions of each of thesesoftware functions may reside on different banking computers orcomputers in resources in the banking computer system 100, which areoperable to execute software instructions. In some example embodimentsthe banking computer system 100 architecture may be balanced and thesoftware and corresponding databases 110 distributed among operativelyconnected computers in a way that allows for a banking computer system100 that has high throughput of customer transactions and reasonablebanking computer system 100 costs.

The location based service application may provide an alert 774 to thecustomer when the customer is approaching a machine 760. The applicationmay also provide audible alerts regarding how far away or close thecustomer is to the machine 760, such as “You are 10 feet from the BankXYZ cash machine.” These alerts 774 may continue until the user isphysically located at the machine 760, such as “You have arrived at theBank XYZ cash machine.” These may be settings in the application thatthe user may set based on their own preferences and needs.

In an alternative embodiment, instead of an audible announcement, whichmay be preferable for a customer who is blind, the alerts 774 orannouncements may be through vibrations from the phone 764 or through avisible indicator on the phone screen, which may be preferable for acustomer who is deaf. It is to be understood that other approaches maybe used in different embodiments. In some embodiments, directions to themachine 760 and/or other information may be delivered to the customer'smobile device 764 so as to facilitate the customer's movement toward themachine.

In some embodiments the alerting system may either audibly annunciatethe presence of the machine to the customer when it senses a Bluetoothenabled phone in proximity to the machine. Alternatively, the machinemay include a wireless port that may provide outputs that may“handshake” with the user's phone and provide an output through a user'sphone whenever the phone comes into proximity with the machine. Forexample, this may be particularly advantageous for a customer who isblind.

If the user has the location based service application running on theirphone, the machine 760 may alert 774 the user in some way, such as viathe machine or their phone. For example, when the user approaches ornears a machine, the machine may emit an audible announcement, such as“Welcome to the Bank XYZ cash machine” when the user gets within a fewfeet of the machine. Alternatively, the user may receive the audibleannouncement from the Bank on their phone via Bluetooth, such as anindication that the user is at or near the machine. Alternatively, thisalert 774 or announcement may be in the form of a text message, ane-mail, a vibration from the phone, a phone call, an audibleannouncement of some sort, any combination of the above, or any othersimilar type of announcement that indicates to the user that they arenearing a machine.

Once at the machine, the user may follow prompts that may allow the userto step through the financial transaction on their cell phone and thenfulfill or complete that transaction at the machine such as eitherdepositing or dispensing money from the machine. In addition, the usermay be required to approve the connection to the machine via Bluetoothor by other means by providing one or more inputs to the phone. In otherembodiments, the user may initiate the transaction at the machine andthen complete the transaction on their phone.

Many people typically have their cell phone with them. In theseinstances the user may not require any additional special equipment,such as a headset. Moreover, the user may be very familiar with thelayout of their own phone's keypad and functions and may be able toperform any necessary phone prompt interactions easily. The user mayalso already have their phone set with their preferred settings, such asvolume levels, screen brightness, font size, etc. that make performingsome part or all of the transaction on their own phone preferable tousing the machine. Users may be allowed to operate a machine via theirmobile phone such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,874,479 filed May 17,2010, U.S. Pat. No. 8,033,456 filed Jan. 24, 2011 and U.S. Pat. No.8,052,050 filed Jan. 21, 2011 and U.S. patent applications Ser. No.13/317,087 filed Oct. 7, 2011 and Ser. No. 13/373,168 filed Nov. 7, 2011and 61/795,499 filed Oct. 18, 2012, the disclosures of each of which areherein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

In other embodiments, there may also be Americans with Disabilities Act(ADA) type accessibility features for lobby machines, drive up machinesand pneumatic tube type terminals. Some of these accessibility typefeatures may include text-to-speech, speech-to-text, two-waycommunication, alternative machine interface accessibility, voiceguidance, Braille signage and input controls, etc.

In some embodiments, RFID reading devices may be utilized in conjunctionwith the machines. RFID reading devices are shown in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/814,100 filed Mar. 31, 2004 and ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 60/459,791 filed Apr. 1, 2003, the disclosures ofeach of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.The approach of reading an RFID tag or other indicator or associatedindicator on a user and providing a marketing output may be applied tooutputting a notification to a blind user through the interface of themachine. In other embodiments, Bluetooth and NFC type devices may beutilized in conjunction with the machines. Examples of Bluetooth and NFCtype devices and interfaces are shown in U.S. patent application Ser.No. 13/066,323 filed Apr. 12, 2011, the disclosure of which isincorporated herein in their entirety.

In still other embodiments, as shown in FIG. 23, the automated bankingmachine and/or financial institution may include sensors 772 located ator adjacent the machine 760 or an area of financial institution 200. Thesensors 772 may be provided for detecting customers approaching oradjacent to the machine 760 so that the machine may initiatecommunication with the customer and/or know when a customer has left thevicinity of the machine. Adjacent to the sensors 772 may be an outputdevice 770, such as a speaker or display screen that may provide analert 774, announcement or some sort of indication to the customer thatthe customer has arrived at the machine 760 or a door of the bank 200,for example.

In an example embodiment, the machine may include at least one sensor772 in the area of the machine. The sensor 772 may preferably be anoptical type sensor or other sensor which is operative to sense that acustomer is present at the machine. The sensor may be operativelyconnected to at least one processor associated with the machine. When acustomer is detected adjacent to the machine by the sensor an indicationmay be given which is operative to cause at least one processor to causethe machine to initiate a dialog with the customer, such as an audibledialog, visual dialog or combination of the two.

The monitor or display associated with the machine may have acontactless reading device associated therewith. The reading device maybe used to read data which identifies the particular customer adjacentto the display and/or the machine. The reading device may be forexample, a camera, RFID reader, biometric reader or other type ofreading device that can read data that can be used to identify theparticular customer. This data may include information about the user,such as if they have a particular disability and need to conduct theirtransaction in a certain manner, such as via voice evidence, or withoutsound outputs. For example, image analysis software operating in one ormore computers may identify objects such as a wheelchair, a white cane,a guide dog, or other articles that would be indicative of the need forthe user to operate the machine in a particular mode. Responsive to thedata read by the reading device, at least one processor included in oneor more computers operate to determine the preferred way to communicateand conduct the transaction to that particular user. The processor maycause the sending of signals to the machine to conduct the transactionin the format suitable for the customer. Of course, this approach is anexample and other approaches may be used.

The example machine may further include an audio control module. Theaudio control module includes a microphone which serves as an audioinput device and a speaker which serves as an audio output ortransmitting device. The machine may be one of the types previouslydiscussed herein or discussed in one of the incorporated disclosures.The machine may include transaction function devices such as a display,card reader, keypad, input keys, printers, check imager and cashdispenser. All of these devices may be mounted in supporting connectionwith the machine housing so as to be contained within the machine. Ofcourse in alternative embodiments, additional devices or multiplehousings may be used.

In other embodiments, outputs including a map may be provided to a userthrough a mobile device. This mobile device may be of the type suppliedto the customer by the banking facility to facilitate user transactions.Such a device may include a device that a customer may receive from thewelcome terminal or from a bank employee for use only during the timethat the banking customer is in the bank. Alternatively, the bankingcustomer may be provided with a fob, token or other suitable devicewhich includes an indicator or output device which the banking customermay retain when the banking customer is outside the bank. Further inalternative embodiments, directions and other information may bedelivered to a customer's portable phone or other mobile device so as tofacilitate the customer's movement efficiently between resources in thebanking facility. Of course these approaches are examples.

In some example embodiments computers in the system may operate so thereis coordination with the destination point for a customer. An outputdevice may be operated so a message may be displayed at the location ofthe resource, such as “reserved for (customer name)” or “welcome Mr.(customer name).” Alternatively, the computers may operate to facilitatemaintaining the customer's privacy. This may include providing outputson a display that include only the customer's first name and lastinitial. Alternatively, a display may include only initials. Further insome embodiments other customer identifiers may be used that furthermaintain anonymity of the customer. These may include numerical orcharacter designators which are associated with outputs provided to thecustomer through the welcome terminal or other resources, or through acustomer's mobile device. After a banking transaction is complete at thefirst destination or resource, the way finding software may cause outputof a map or information showing the banking customer how to proceed tothe next destination.

In some example embodiments banking resources such as automated tellermachines, the teller terminal 22 and the banking computers 20 may beoperative to run workflow analysis software, customer awarenesssoftware, and image tracking software. In some example embodiments,portions of each of the workflow analysis software, customer awarenesssoftware, and image tracking software may reside on differentcomputerized banking resources in the banking computer system 100operable to execute software instructions. Of course these approachesare examples, and other types of systems, software architectures, andconcentrated or distributing processing systems may be used.

In some example embodiments the workflow analyzer software may beoperable to receive outputs from the task analyzer software discussedearlier, and may be operative to define what steps a human teller willneed to perform in order to complete the selected transaction for thecustomer. In some example embodiments after the task analyzer softwareresolves the steps needed to execute a banking transaction, it mayprovide outputs to the teller (or other appropriate bank personnel) on adisplay device corresponding to those items and/or action steps thatapply to the task. For example, if the requested banking transaction isto open a certificate of deposit, the workflow analyzer software mayprompt on an output device of the banking employee's terminal, to carryout only those items that adhere to the business rules associated withopening a certificate of deposit. In the example embodiments theworkflow analyzer software may be operative to present as outputs to thebanking employee only the forms and procedures that pertain to openingthe certificate of deposit. In the example embodiment forms andprocedures may come to the banking employee with data already populatedinto an electronic form that was generated and/or processed earlier fromthe task analysis software phase and populated with information that mayhave earlier been collected at the welcome terminal 10 or gatheredthrough operation of a computer in connection with one or more datastores in the system that include the customer's information.

In some example embodiments the banking customer awareness software mayalert the appropriate bank employees to certain information aboutcustomers that may currently be in the banking facility 200. Forexample, if an individual that is not identified as a current customerindicated at the welcome terminal 10 an interest in opening a checkingaccount, the welcome terminal 10 may operate to capture an image of thatcustomer and cause that image to be conveyed to a banking customerawareness software function. In the example embodiment the bankingcustomer awareness software may make a bank employee aware of where thatbanking customer was directed go and transmit that image to an outputdevice so the employee may see what the banking customer looked like. Insome example embodiments computers connected in the system may operateresponsive to their programmed instructions to cause outputs to aselected banking employee's terminal which include visual informationwhich indicates, for example, “Customer #1 is interested in opening achecking account and was told to go to the waiting area . . . and thebanking customer looks like ‘this’ <shows their picture>.” With thatinformation, a bank employee may go to the waiting area to greet the newcustomer in a more personal manner because the bank employee alreadyknows who to approach. For example, the bank employee is now enabled tosay: “Hello. My name is Bob Jones and I understand you'd like to open anaccount with us. Please let me take you to our new accounts manager.” Inalternative systems, bank employees may be provided with mobileterminals which include suitable output devices for receiving messagesand pictures. Computers connected in the system may operate inaccordance with their programming to send messages via wirelesscommunication to the particular employee's mobile terminal whichidentifies the customer and provides the information on the customer andthe type of transaction that customer would like to conduct. Thisapproach enables the bank employees to be roaming and still receive theinformation. Of course this approach is an example, and in otherembodiments other approaches may be used.

In some example embodiments the image tracking software may be operativeto track banking customers and/or bank employees wherever they wererelative to the floor plan of the banking facility 200. For example, ifa banking customer was directed to proceed to a waiting area and thebanking customer never made it to the waiting area because the bankingcustomer may have been distracted by a friend in another area of thelobby, the bank employee may not be able to greet the customer. In someexample embodiments the banking customer tracking may be accomplished byutilizing the image data captured through video surveillance of theentire banking facility 200. A video stream of the floor area from allthe cameras may be fed to image tracking software running in one or morecomputers.

In the example embodiment all the points of customer interaction may berecorded as data values stored in memory associated with a computer sothose points are known relative to customer positions on the floor ofthe facility. For example, the welcome terminal 10 may be at a floorgrid with coordinates E7. When the image tracking software determinesthat Customer #1 has provided inputs that correspond to a request toopen a banking account at the welcome terminal 10, the welcome terminalmay provide that data to the computer running the person image trackingsoftware. In some example embodiments the image tracking software isthen operative to cause data to be generated that corresponds to thelocation of the Customer #1 being at the welcome terminal 10 whichcorresponds to coordinate E7. Next, the image tracking software operatesto track Customer #1 as the customer moves from one camera 70 field ofview to another. The cameras 70 may feed image data corresponding to thereal-time movement of the customer to the image tracking software whichmay use a mapping function to overlay the coordinates of each customerbeing tracked on a floor plan of the branch. The computer may operate tooutput this “live” information to bank personnel through output devicesoperatively connected to the computer through an animated graphic withcustomer names, privileges, reference numbers, or other data shownattached to the moving objects.

In an example embodiment if the bank employee does not find Customer #1in the waiting area 60, the employee may provide an input to a handhelddevice and data corresponding to an animated map of customer movementwithin the lobby could be sent to the handheld device of the bankemployee. With information about where Customer #1 is located on alayout of the banking facility 200, the banking employee may nowapproach Customer #1 and great them in a proper manner.

In other example embodiments the banking customers may be tracked bycapturing and processing image data which is analyzed by one or morecomputers that identify the particular customer by various propertiesthat can be sensed by sensors and devices in operative connection withthe computer. In some example embodiments the banking customer may betracked using signals from a plurality of sensors positioned in an arraythroughout the banking facility 200 floor. Sensors in the floor maysense the weight of a banking customer and how that weight isdistributed to various portions of the footprint of a banking customeras the banking customer moves about the banking facility 200. Thesensors may also or alternatively include an array of photo sensors. Thesensors are in operative connection with one or more computers. Thecomputers operate to analyze the data from the sensors indicating theweight that is currently sensed thereon and/or the interruption of photosensor beams. The computer may then operate to track the user from theknown starting point throughout the area of the bank where the sensorsare located. In some other example embodiments the shoe print of abanking customer may be captured with cameras at a low level or in thebanking facility 200 floor. In example embodiments, low height levelcameras may operate to identify an image of a customer's shoe asassociated with that particular customer. The image of the shoe may beanalyzed and recorded such that when the image of that shoe is seen byother cameras, the computer operates to identify a particular customerthat is associated with the shoe image. The banking customer may then betracked within the banking facility 200 by tracking his shoe image. Itshould be understood that in other embodiments other articles on orassociated with customers could be used for tracking the customer withinthe banking facility. This may include articles of clothing, items ofjewelry, or other identifiable features that will remain associated withthe particular customer through the customer's activities at the bankfacility.

In other example embodiments a banking customer may be tracked by aunique signal emitted from a mobile device the banking customer carries.A plurality of sensors may detect the unique mobile signal and thatsignal may be triangulated within the banking facility 200 to determinethe location of the banking customer. In yet some other embodiments abanking customer may be tracked by sensors and software operative todetect biometric data such as readable scanning features of the eye orfacial features as the banking customer arrives and moves within thebanking facility 200.

Some example embodiments may include special areas within a bankingfacility reserved for a segment of banking customers with “highnet-worth customers” that are of high value to the banking facility. Theexplanation of a banking customer segment here will use “high net-worthcustomers” and services they find of value, but the use of a bankingcustomer segment may be used to identify other groups of people withcommon transaction characteristics, such as small business customers, orsafe-deposit customers, for example.

In some example embodiments the use of a personal identification devicemay be used to identify a banking customer segment to the bank or evenindividual customers of high interest or value. In some exampleembodiments the personal identification device may comprise a devicethat is specifically issued to the customer who is within the customersegment or category. For example in some embodiments, the personalidentification device may comprise a fob, card or other article that isoperative to emit or provide one or more unique signals or data thatidentify the customer. For example in some embodiments, the personalidentification device may include an RFID device which is operative toprovide a unique signal that identifies the customer. Such an RFIDdevice may include articles such as a credit or debit card whichincludes an RFID indicator thereon. Alternatively, the article mayinclude a token, fob or other item that a user may include on the user'sperson when traveling to the banking facility. Of course theseapproaches are examples

When a person in the segment is detected upon their approaching orarriving at the banking facility, the banking facility and bankingcomputer system may be operative to identify the banking customer bymatching the signals emitted or output by the person's identificationdevice with data stored in at least one data store. In some exampleembodiments once the banking customer is identified, the bankingfacility may begin to prepare the banking environment for services thatparticular person, or a person in a particular customer segment,typically desire. This may include, for example, providing outputs ondisplay devices or at the customer terminal acknowledging the customerby name. Alternatively or in addition, at least one computer may beoperative to communicate with a computer terminal or a portable devicecarried by a banking employee. The communications with the portabledevice or the bank employee computer may be operative to advise theemployee of the identity of the customer approaching the bank, andadvise the employee to greet the customer. Further in some exampleembodiments, the computer may be operative to recover data correspondingto an image of a customer that is displayed to the bank employee. Thiswill facilitate the employee identifying the customer so that theemployee can personally greet the customer as the customer enters orapproaches the bank. In some example embodiments detection of thepersonal identification device may also be operative to begin executionof the previously discussed software routines like the way findingsoftware, queuing manager software, and task analyzer software.

In some example embodiments the personal identification device may be abiometrically enabled device. The biometric personal identificationdevice may only become active when the person to whom it has beenregistered has personal possession of the device and provides a uniquebiometric input. For example, the personal identification device mayonly be operative to output one or more signals for a period of timeafter a user has provided an input such as a fingerprint over a scannerincluded on the device. Alternatively in some embodiments, theidentification device may respond to a user's voice print or otherperceptible input to cause it to provide the identifying output. In someexample embodiments when the personal device is active it may emit aradio frequency signal that may be detected by one or more receivingdevices that are operative to receive the signal and operativelycommunicate data corresponding to the signal to the banking computersystem of the banking facility when the customer approaches or entersthe facility.

In some example embodiments upon being detected, a particular bankingcustomer or a person belonging to a specific banking customer segmentwould have a space reserved for them (a private financial consultationroom, for example) allowing them to proceed directly to that space. Thismay include, for example, the computer operating in accordance with aninstruction to activate an output device to indicate the customer's nameor other identifier on an output device associated with the privatemeeting room. One or more sensors adjacent to the meeting room mayoperate to unlock a door or other access control device as the user'sidentification device is sensed in proximity to the door. In someexample embodiments after a reservation was in place for a particularcustomer, no other banking customer could use that room even if theyalso had a similar device. In some example embodiments once the bankingcustomer for whom the room was reserved for enters the room, they mayagain need to identify themselves with the device or otherwise beforethey may proceed with the special services. This may be accompanied byone or more sensors sensing the device within the room. Alternatively orin addition, users could further identify themselves through a secondaryform of authentication. This could take the form of providing inputs toan input device, such as a card reader reading a card, an input of a PINnumber through a keypad, or a biometric input. Of course theseapproaches are this approach is an example, and in other embodimentsother approaches may be used.

FIG. 3 shows schematically an approach that is an example method ofprocessing banking transactions using a welcome terminal 300. The methodmay include a step 302 where an image of a banking customer approachingor at a banking terminal may be captured through operation of one ormore computers. The image may be optical or of any method that may beuseful to identify or track the banking customer. The banking customermay be identified in step 304. The identification may be by computeranalysis of optical images, facial images, infrared images or any othermethod to identify the banking customer. At step 306 input may bereceived at a welcome terminal located near the bank entrance from abanking customer that has entered a bank. The input may includeinformation about the types of transactions the banking customer wantsto perform at the banking facility 200. In some example embodiments thebanking customer may now begin entering data corresponding to the typesof transactions the banking customer would like to transact. At step 308the input received from the banking customer is analyzed throughoperation of a computer to determine which transaction may be processedfirst. The determination may be made by a banking computer systemdetermining which resources are needed for each requested transactionand which of the needed resources are then currently available. Thebanking customer may be routed to a first location at step 310 throughoutputs from the welcome terminal and/or other devices. In some exampleembodiments one or more computers may operate to present the bankingcustomer with a map at the welcome terminal displaying how to proceed tothe first location. At step 312 an image of the banking customer may betransmitted through operation of one or more computers to a computer orother output device accessible to a bank employee. The image may be usedby the bank employee to personally greet the banking customer or to findthe banking customer. The banking customer may be tracked in step 314.The tracking may be performed by the banking computer system through oneor more of the approaches as discussed above. At step 316 the locationof the tracked banking customer is presented to a banking employeethrough one or more output devices such as a computer display or aportable handheld terminal. The displayed location may enable a bankingemployee to more easily find the banking customer.

FIG. 4 schematically represents an approach that is an example method ofprocessing banking transactions using a welcome terminal 400. The firstfive steps of the example method may be identical to the first fivesteps of the method in FIG. 3. At the sixth step 412, the bankingcustomer may be tracked through operation of one or more computers. Atstep 414 the data the banking customer may have entered into the welcometerminal is communicated to one or more computers that are operative toanalyze and/or communicate the customer data to a resource at a firstlocation where the customer is being directed to carry out atransaction. A banking resource such as a computer terminal or otherdevice at the first location operates to begin processing the firsttransaction before the banking customer arrives at the first location.At step 416 the banking customer may be presented information throughthe welcome terminal or other output device about how to get to thefirst location. The first banking transaction is processed at step 418.This is accomplished by the customer interacting with the bankingresource at the first location. This may include, for example, providinginputs to terminal devices either by the customer or human operator, orother activities as are necessary to carry out the transaction. At step420 a determination is made through operation of a computer as to whichbanking transaction may be processed second. The determination may bemade by the computer or computers in a similar manner as was thedetermination to determine the first transaction in step 408. One ormore computers operate to cause data corresponding to the customerand/or the selected transaction which is to be processed second to betransmitted to the banking resource at the second location in step 422,which may allow the second transaction processing to begin before thebanking customer arrives at the second location. At step 424 the bankingcustomer is routed to the second location by the first resource or othermanner, and the second transaction is completed at step 426. If thereare more transactions, then step 420 through 424 may be repeated foreach transaction until all transactions are completed.

In some example embodiments rather than waiting until a banking customerhas arrived at a welcome terminal, the banking customer may contact thebanking facility before arriving at the bank, through the customer'smobile device. This may be done by the mobile device communicating withone or more computers in the banking network. This may be done, forexample, through a cell phone connection or other wireless communicationmethodology. In some example embodiments some of the functions of thewelcome terminal discussed above, such as identifying a bankingcustomer, may be accomplished by the messages from (i.e., an originatingphone number or network address of) the mobile device. This may include,for example, receiving from the customer suitable identifying inputsthrough the mobile device. The identifying inputs are transmitted to oneor more computers and compared to stored data so that the customer maybe identified. One or more computers in the banking network may operateto generate and cause to be presented on the mobile device a list of thebanking transactions a banking customer may desire to perform. Thecustomer may operate the mobile device to provide inputs whichcorrespond to the one or more banking transactions which the customerdesires to perform. This may be done through operation of the mobiledevice and software operating therein, as a result of communicationswith one or more computers in the banking system. Such inputs may causeone or more computers of the banking system to begin preprocessing orother activities to prepare for the transactions that the bankingcustomer will conduct when the customer arrives at the banking facility.

In some example embodiments the mobile device may comprise a personaldevice such as a mobile phone or PDA. In some example embodiments amobile device may connect with the banking computer system through anymobile system including cellular, Wi-Fi, WiMax or 802.11. Of coursethese are this approach is an example.

After a mobile device is in operative connection with a computer in thebanking network, it may be used to pre-order financial services orbanking transactions from wherever and whenever the banking customerdesired. In some example embodiments the pre-ordered transactions orservices may then be processed through operation of the computers at aconvenient time and place before the banking customer needs themcompleted or arrives at a banking facility. If the banking customer doesnot need the transactions completed that day or later that day, thebanking computer system may schedule the transactions to be completed ata future time, or completed to the extent possible until the bankingcustomer arrives at a banking location.

For example, a customer may have a mobile device that can be used tocommunicate with one or more computers in the banking system, and has 10checks the customer wishes to deposit.

The banking customer may enable an application on their handheld deviceto begin to operate and communicate with one or more computers in thebanking computer system. In some example embodiments portions of themobile application may reside in the mobile device or on computers in abanking computer system. In some example embodiments the mobile softwareapplication may be text message based, or may communicate using a webapplication.

Using a mobile device, the banking customer may provide one or moreinputs to identify themselves and enter a personal identification number(PIN) in private. In some example embodiments the transaction sequencecarried out through operation of the mobile device interface may besimilar to the transaction sequence described above with a welcometerminal, except that it is being conducted on a mobile device. Thebanking customer may select from a menu output on a display of themobile device to “deposit checks” at a branch. The mobile device maythen operate to cause data corresponding to the customer's selections tobe communicated to one or more computers in the banking computer system.The banking computer system may then provide communications to themobile device that cause the device to instruct the banking customer howto proceed to the nearest banking facility 200 location that mayaccommodate the desired transactions. The banking customer may beprompted through outputs that include a map or directions to the bankingfacility 200.

The banking customer arrives later at the banking location to which thecustomer was directed. In some example embodiments the presence of thebanking customer may be detected at the banking facility 200 throughoperation of the mobile device. In some example embodiments a signalsuch as an RFID, NFC, Bluetooth, or other radio signal may output by thedevice and detected by the banking computer system. In some exampleembodiments when the banking computer system detects the arrival of thebanking customer, the banking computer system may process the bankingtransactions the banking customer requested earlier using the taskanalyzer software and queuing manager software as previously discussed.

In an example embodiment, a customer or user may make an appointmentwith a financial institution or bank 200 prior to arriving at thefinancial institution or bank, such as from home or work or while ontheir way to the bank. When that customer arrives at the bank 200, thebank may be alerted that the customer has arrived for their appointmentvia license plate recognition software. The bank 200 may have at leastone camera 70 with a field of view that includes an exterior area of thebank 200, as shown in FIG. 24. In an example embodiment, the bank 200may have a plurality of cameras 70 located at various locations aroundthe exterior of the bank and the bank's parking lot.

The plurality of cameras 70 may be operatively connected to one or morecomputers in the network 102, as shown in FIG. 1. The cameras 70 may becapable of capturing a series of images. For example, the cameras may beoperative to capture data corresponding to license plates, includingvisible and/or infrared images. The cameras in the example embodimentmay be operatively connected to the network 102 through a camerainterface device 72 as shown in FIG. 1. The camera interface device 72may include a suitable network interface card or similar circuitry thatenables the camera to operatively communicate with other computers anddevices in the schematically indicated banking computer system 100.

Customers of the bank may voluntarily decide to provide the bank withtheir vehicle's license plate 778 numbers. These license plate 778numbers may be stored in a database operatively connected to the bankcomputer system 100. The bank computer system 100 may operaterecognition software, such as license plate recognition software. Insome example embodiments the terminal 760 may be in operativecommunication with license plate recognition software. In some exampleembodiments portions of each of these software functions may reside ondifferent banking computers or computers in resources in the bankingcomputer system 100, which are operable to execute softwareinstructions. In some example embodiments the banking computer system100 architecture may be balanced and the software and correspondingdatabases 110 distributed among operatively connected computers in a waythat allows for a banking computer system 100 that has high throughputof customer transactions and reasonable banking computer system 100costs. Of course those approaches may be used in different embodiments.

When the customer arrives and parks in the bank's parking lot, thecameras 70 may detect the arrival of a new vehicle 776 in the parkinglot. The executable instructions include instructions for identifyingvehicles and for analyzing the front and/or rear of a vehicle to locatestructure or structures that correspond to the shape and/or content orcolor of license plates. The cameras 70 may then capture an image of thelicense plate 778 or send a live feed of the license plate 778 to thebank computer system 100. The computer system 100 may then compare theindicia in that image of the license plate 778 to the information storedin the database to determine if this is a customer of the bank and whichbank customer it is. This may be done for example through the use ofcharacter recognition software that can identify characters such asnumbers, letters and symbol included on the license plate.

Once the customer vehicle is recognized via the license platerecognition software, the bank staff may bring up the appointmentdetails specific to that customer from the bank's computer systems inorder to be fully prepared when the customer comes inside the bank 200.This may prevent delays once the customer arrives at the bank, therebyimproving customer service. This may also aid in providing additionalsecurity for the user and bank as well as aid in any fraudinvestigations. In an alternative embodiment, the customer may not havean appointment with the bank.

The customer may simply park in the bank's parking lot without anappointment. The image analysis processors in operative connection withthe cameras 70 may detect a new vehicle 776 in the parking lot. Thelicense plate 778 information may then be sent to the bank computersystem 100 for analysis recognition via the recognition software. Evenwithout an appointment, the customer's information may be queued up forthe bank staff. The personal data of the customer may be retrievedthrough operation of one or more computers from a database on thecomputer network 100. This may provide the bank staff advance notice ofthat customer's arrival so that they may greet them when they arrive andit may also provide the staff time to bring up the customer's accountinformation to have it ready for any banking transactions the customerwould like to make while at the bank 200.

In other embodiments, the bank 200 may also utilize the license platerecognition software in combination with queuing manager software. As avariety of customer's arrive at the bank and their license plates 778are detected and recognized by the bank computer system 100, thecustomers may be sorted into the queuing manager software by time ofarrival.

In some example embodiments, NFC may be utilized to read a user's cardor conduct a transaction. A customer's mobile device, such as aSmartphone, tablet, computer or the like may contain a NFC chip. NFCchips may send encrypted data a short distance to a reader located inthe terminal, for example. The user may be able to initiate or completetransactions by waving or tapping their NFC enabled mobile device nearor on the NFC reader in the terminal. NFC may permit the user to make apayment, deposit or withdraw cash. In an example embodiment, the usermay walk up to a NFC enabled terminal and wave their card or mobilephone next to the reader on the terminal and enter the user's PIN or IDnumber in order to operate the automated banking machine. Alternatively,the user may log onto the bank's web site and select the option towithdraw cash, for example, and indicate the specifics related to thetransaction, such as the particular account from which they want to makea withdrawal and the amount to be withdrawn. Once the user has completedthe transaction online, the user may then receive a text message via SMSthat may include a temporary PIN or ID number to use at the nearestterminal. For security reasons, the PIN may have a time limit attachedto its use, such as that the PIN must be used within 30 minutes ofreceipt and that the PIN may only be used one time. As an alternative,any appropriate type of device may include an NFC chip, such as a user'svehicle key fob, personal computer and the like.

In addition, the user's NFC enabled device may serve as an encryptedsecurity device, personal ID card and/or banking ID card. The user's NFCdevice may read NFC tags located on a bank's display to get moreinformation, special offers, or an audio or video presentation relatedto some existing or new products or services. Using the phone as areader may allow the phone to interact with RFID-enabled objects, suchas posters embedded with chips that connect to web sites, mobile websites or applications. In an example embodiment, the bank may provide“smart” posters or advertisements that may include RFID tags, wherebythe banking customer may tap their NFC mobile device against the RFIDequipped poster or advertisement. The customer may then receivepromotional offers from the bank.

The terminal may include NFC in any appropriate or desired location ofthe terminal. For example, the terminal may include NFC in the display,touch screen or signature pad. This may be done in a manner where thecard is read by bringing it adjacent to the desired portion of theterminal that includes the NFC communications. This would allow atransaction to occur where a user would bring their card near orphysically touch their card to the portion of the terminal with NFC inorder to start the transaction. In this manner, the card may be readthrough NFC associated with that specific part of the terminal, such asthe display screen, touch pad, track pad and the like.

In some example embodiments the banking computer system may operate inaccordance with its programming to identify the resource that isavailable to perform the requested transactions and may direct thebanking customer through outputs from the banking customer's mobiledevice where in the branch to proceed. In some example embodiments themobile device may receive communications that direct the bankingcustomer and cause the device to output a map or floor plan of thebanking facility. This may be accomplished in a manner similar to themaps shown on the welcome terminal discussed earlier. In some exampleembodiments the banking customer may be prompted responsive to softwaresimilar to the operation of the way finding software discussed earlierto cause the mobile device to present a map accompanied with a messagesuch as “Please proceed to Check Deposit Terminal #1.” In some exampleembodiments “Terminal #1” may be reserved by providing an output thatincludes the name of the banking customer. This may be done, forexample, by the computer system operating to cause an output through anoutput device adjacent to or on the terminal, which output indicates thecustomer name or other identifying information for the customer. Ofcourse this approach is an example, and in other embodiments otherapproaches may be used.

In some example embodiments when the banking customer arrives at theterminal, they may press an application button on their mobile device orprovide another type input that operates to inform the banking computersystem they are at the indicated location. The banking computer systemmay generate a verification message for one-time use and display themessage on the terminal where the banking customer should now belocated. The banking computer system may then operate to instruct thebanking customer through their mobile device to enter a one-time messagethat the banking computer generated, as inputs into the bankingcustomer's mobile device. If the banking customer enters theverification message, this is received by one or more computers andoperates to verify to the banking computer system that the bankingcustomer is at the targeted terminal. In some example embodiments, thebanking customer is from this time instructed through the mobile device,the terminal, or both, to refer to instructions on the terminal'sdisplay to execute the physical check deposit into the automated bankingmachine terminal. Once the checks are deposited, the check images andsummary information may be compiled into an electronic acknowledgment.One or more computers in the banking system operate to cause to betransmitted to the customer's mobile device, a record of thetransaction.

In another example, a small businessman places a request from his mobiledevice to pick up his cash drawer money for the day (banded bills androlled coins) in a drive-up lane. The small businessman may complete amobile-based ordering transaction similar to the first example andindicate his desire to pick up his order at a pneumatic tube terminal,which is also referred to as a VAT terminal in a drive-up environment.This may be done through inputs to the user's mobile phone. The mobilephone is operative to communicate data corresponding to the inputswirelessly to one or more computers in the banking system. The bankingsystem is operative responsive to its programming to cause one or morecomputers to analyze the inputs and determine what steps should be takenprior to the customer's arrival to accomplish the customer's desiredtransactions. When the small businessman arrives in the parking lot, hemay be detected automatically as discussed above. Alternatively, thecustomer may be detected by a camera system that captures images andthat is in operative connection with a computer that operates facialrecognition software. Of course these approaches are examples. Thedetection initiates a queuing function in at least one computer and mayreactivate the computer processing data corresponding to the pendingtransaction. The businessman is queued for the cash pickup transactionfor “Lane #1” and is instructed to proceed to that lane on his mobiledevice. This is done responsive to operation of one or more computerswhich provide outputs that are wirelessly transmitted to the customer'smobile device. The mobile device is operative to output instructions tothe customer through its display or other output device.

Once the businessman arrives in the correct lane, he may press anapplication button on his mobile device or otherwise provide inputs toindicate to the system he is in position. The system is operative togenerate a one-time use pass code, transmits it and causes it to beoutput to the customer, who may view it on his mobile device. The outputthrough the mobile device may be operative to prompt the customer toenter the one-time use pass code into a keypad or other input devicepositioned adjacent to or on a customer terminal of a pneumatic tubetransport system. For purposes of this disclosure, a pneumatic tubetransport system is also referred to as a “VAT” system. The input of thecode through the input device is operative to indicate to one or morecomputers in the system that the businessman is where he should be andmay receive the currency. The computer system operates in response tothe one-time use input to cause the requested funds to be delivered tothe customer through the pneumatic tube system. This may be done, forexample, by the computer operating to cause one or more outputs throughan output device associated with a resource such as a teller terminal.In response to such an output, a teller may collect the desired itemsand place them in a pneumatic tube carrier for transmission to thecustomer. Alternatively in other embodiments, an automated device whichmay be of the type in the incorporated disclosure operates to collectthe desired items and place them in a carrier on an automated basiswhich is transmitted through the pneumatic tube system to the customer.In still other embodiments, the one or more computers in the bankingsystem may communicate with devices such as cash dispensers and rolledcoin dispensers to make available the items that have been requested bythe customer, so that either a human teller or an automated system maycause them to be placed in and delivered to the pneumatic tube system.Of course these approaches are this approach is an example, and in otherembodiments other approaches may be used.

In an example embodiment, terminals 760, automated banking machines orpneumatic tube terminals (sometimes alternatively referred to as VATs)may include a processor (which is alternatively referred to herein as acomputer) and a device that outputs a signal built into the machine orVAT that may provide the functions of a communication system. Thecommunication system may be in operative connection with the bankcomputer system 100, such as that shown in FIG. 1. The terminal 760 maybe operative to run software locally in its computer to cause theterminal to carry out all or portions of banking customer transactions.In some embodiments, the terminal 760 may comprise a thin clientsoftware architecture that may cause another computer such as a server90, as shown in FIG. 1, to cause the execution of software applicationsbased on inputs to the terminal.

In some example embodiments, the device may output signals such as anRFID, NFC, Bluetooth, or other wireless signal outputs from the devicethat may be detected by the bank computer system 100. For drive upterminals 760, automated banking machines or VATs with the computer andBluetooth built in, the customer or user may pull up to the terminal 760in their vehicle 776 with their phone or mobile computing device 764.The customer's phone 764 may also have Bluetooth built into their phoneas well as have Bluetooth built into the customer's vehicle, whereby thecustomer's phone 764 may sync with the customer's vehicle 776. Thesystem may find the Bluetooth ID from the customer's phone 764. Afterthe phone and terminal 760 are in communication, the system may pull upa transaction interface on the drive up terminal 760 or VAT terminalthat the customer may interact with, such as to proceed with atransaction.

In some example embodiments the banking computer system 100 may furthercontain one or more antenna 80 operatively connected to the network 102.The antenna 80 may be operatively connected to the network 102 through amobile interface device 82. The mobile interface device 82 may include asuitable network interface card or similar mechanism that enables RFsignals to be sent or received through the antenna 80. The interface andantenna enable RF communications with one or more computersschematically indicated banking computer system 100. The antenna 80 inthe example embodiment may operatively communicate with mobile devicesinternal or external to a banking facility such as cellular phones 764,laptop computers, handheld devices, and personal digital assistants(PDAs). The antenna 80 in example embodiments may provide communicationthrough one or more suitable mobile frequencies such as cellular,802.11, and Bluetooth frequencies, for example.

In this embodiment, the customer may drive up to a terminal 760, such asan automated banking machine or VAT terminal, as shown in FIG. 25. Themachine or terminal may detect the Bluetooth communication from thecustomer's phone 764 and communicate with it. The customer may thenconduct all or part of the transaction via the transaction interface ontheir mobile phone 764. For example, the customer may initiate awithdrawal or deposit transaction via inputs to and outputs on their ownphone 764 and then complete the transaction with the terminal 760, suchas receiving the cash they withdrew or depositing money or checks intothe terminal 760.

FIG. 27 shows a customer's touch screen 784 that may be part of anautomated banking machine or terminal 760 which may also include acomputer and other components/devices. Similar touch screens may be partof applications that may run on the customer's mobile device 764,whereby the mobile device 764 may include a mobile device touch screen780 that may similarly display an output 782 from the screen 780 of themobile device 764. The customer's touch screen 784 may include a displayarea 786 which may output information that allows a customer to carryout a desired transaction or other banking function, as shown in FIG.26.

As illustrated in FIG. 27, the customer's touch screen 784 may presentan output 786 that may include a (make selection) message and virtualbuttons (function keys) for selecting a function involving any of thefollowing: fast cash 788, withdraw 790, transfer funds 792, deposit 794,history 796, favorites 798, other tasks 810 and speak to teller 812. Acustomer may touch the corresponding key to select the transactionfunction desired. Touching the withdraw key 790 may correspond to acustomer selection that initiates a withdrawal of funds from one of thecustomer's accounts. Touching the transfer funds key 792 may present thecustomer with a series of screen outputs for transferring funds from oneaccount into another account. Touching the teller key 812 may connectthe customer with a teller. The teller key 812 may be shown in everyscreen output so the customer can always contact the teller forassistance. It should be understood that many other buttons and screendisplays can be presented to a customer. The displays output 786 throughthe customer's touch screen 784 may be determined and controlled by thecorresponding computer programming.

In an alternative embodiment, the system may work in an alternatemanner. For example, the navigation system of the vehicle 776 may detectthe drive up terminal 760, automated banking machine or VAT terminal,communicate with it, and then display the transaction interface on thecustomer's vehicle's in dashboard or in center console 814 system. Inaddition, a Bluetooth PIN pad may be exposed on the customer's connectedphone 764 for authentication. There may also be two way audiocommunications to the phone/in vehicle audio system via Bluetooth, oralternative wireless communications methods.

FIG. 28 shows a center console 814 touch screen 816 that may be incommunication with an automated banking machine or terminal 760. Thecenter console 814 touch screen 816 may be in communication with anapplication that may be run on the customer's mobile device 764. Thecenter console 814 touch screen 816 that may similarly display an output818 from the screen 816 of the center console 814. The display area 818which may output information that allows a customer to carry out adesired transaction or other banking function as similarly describedabove.

In one example embodiment, the customer may drive up to a terminal 760.The customer's vehicle 776 may detect the Bluetooth communication systemfrom the terminal 760 and communicate with it. The customer may thenconduct all or part of the transaction via the transaction interface ona center console 814 of their own vehicle 776. For example, the user mayinitiate a withdrawal or deposit transaction on their vehicle's centerconsole 814 and then complete the transaction with the terminal 760,such as receiving the cash they withdrew or depositing the money intothe terminal 760.

As previously stated, users may be allowed to operate an automatedbanking machine or other terminal via their mobile phone such asdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,874,479 filed May 17, 2010, U.S. Pat. No.8,033,456 filed Jan. 24, 2011 and U.S. Pat. No. 8,052,050 filed Jan. 21,2011 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/317,087 filed Oct. 7, 2011and Ser. No. 13/373,168 filed Nov. 7, 2011, the disclosures of each ofwhich are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

In some example embodiments a banking customer may be issued a bankingcard when the banking customer opens an account at the banking location.The banking card may be operatively used to identify the bankingcustomer to the welcome terminal or remote automated banking machines.The banking card may be operative to identify a banking customer to amobile device used by banking employees before the mobile device isauthorized to request or conduct transactions within the bankingfacility 200. The banking card may include one or more features thereinor thereon that are operative to provide outputs that identify thecustomer. These may include, for example, an RFID tag or an NFC tag thatis operative to provide data which can be used to identify the customer.In other embodiments the card may include a memory chip or other memorydevice which holds data that can be used to identify the customer. Instill other embodiments the card may include a magnetic stripe which hasdata encoded thereon that can be used to identify the customer. Numerousdifferent types of data storage arrangements may be used in variousembodiments. Further it should be understood for purposes of thisdiscussion, a card may include other articles of a small and portablevariety that may be suitable to provide identifying inputs associatedwith a customer.

In some example embodiments, the terminal may be set up to havetransactions be more readily performed through the user's mobile device.For example, although the terminal would normally have a video outputthrough the display, the terminal could be set up so that it hands offthe video presentation or dialog with an actual teller to the user'smobile device. This may be done, for example, by having some correlationbetween the user ID, such as the user's card number or some other useridentifying value, and the user's mobile phone number. When the userstarts a transaction at the terminal, they might select to have thetransaction carried out on their mobile phone. Responsive to havingdetermined that the particular customer is at the terminal, one or morecomputers may be operative to cause the terminal to transfer the detailsof the transaction to the user's mobile device. The voice client on thephone could then allow them to carry out the transaction either viavoice commands or by manual inputs to the phone.

Conversely, transactions could also be started the opposite way, such asinitiating the transaction on the mobile device and then finishing thetransaction at the terminal. In both instances, handing off thetransaction from the terminal to the user's smart phone, or vice versa,would facilitate a more private discussion related to the transactionand may free up the terminal for other customers to use, while stillallowing the initial customer to continue their discussion after theyleave the terminal.

During transactions of this type, there may be the need for somevalidation to indicate that the user is in fact located at or near aterminal. In some example embodiments, the terminal may require that theuser input a code into their phone, either by speaking the code or byinputting some output indicated on the terminal display. The terminalmay output a one-time use code on the screen that the user then needs toinput into his mobile device. Alternatively, the user could be requiredto receive a value on the mobile device and input that value into theterminal. Another alternative may be to have a QR code on the screen ofthe terminal or on the screen of the mobile device, which could then beread by the opposite device. This would enable verifying that the personconducting the transaction on the phone was in fact at the terminal. Afurther enhancement on this concept may be to have voice ID as asecondary authentication factor for the user on the call. Voice ID maybe done through any appropriate operation, such as APIs. This mayessentially allow a user to conduct a transaction on a “bring your owndisplay” basis. This may be done using features like those shown in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/068,461 filed May 11, 2011; Ser. No.13/135,526 filed Jul. 7, 2011; and/or Ser. No. 13/134,128 filed May 31,2011, the disclosures of each of which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

In some example embodiments, other personal forms of identification mayalso be utilized to further identify a user at a terminal. For example,a user's vehicle key fob may be used. The vehicle key fob may include anID that may be read at the terminal to further identify the person.Similarly, NFC and RFID tags in the user's mobile device may beutilized.

In other example embodiments, the floor space around the terminal mayinclude a covering or coating with a sensor network. When the user islocated on the floor space around the terminal, the sensor networklocated within or on top of the floor space surrounding the terminal maysend a signal to the terminal to indicate that the user is currentlylocated at the terminal. Responsive to having determined that theparticular customer is at the terminal, one or more computers may beoperative to cause the terminal to provide outputs appropriate for theparticular user.

In some example embodiments, in order to further identify the customer,the terminal may include a sensor system similar to anelectroencephalograph (EEG) that may measure the fluctuations in thebrain activity of the customer. The identification software may be inoperative connection with the banking computer system that may store adatabase of identifying information for each customer. Each person has aunique pattern of neural pathway that determines their brain activity.This makes an EEG biometric system hard to forge and therefore desirablefor use in identification. The customer would need to have anauthentication of the EEG, a sort of base “fingerprint” or “signature”to compare subsequent authentications against.

The initial authentication procedure may be non-invasive, using aremovable cap that may have even fewer electrodes than used in standardEEGs. The data taken may then be sent to one or more of the computers inthe banking network 102 for analysis and filing away in a database.

This method of authentication may be incorporated with other types ofidentification to create a secure system of identification.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic representation of an example method ofprocessing banking transactions in a system that includes a welcometerminal 500. The method may include a step 502 where one or more inputsare received from a banking customer through an input device included ona mobile device. The input may be received before the banking customerarrives at a bank and may contain information about the types oftransactions the banking customer would like to perform. Datacorresponding to the one or more inputs is transmitted through wirelesscommunication to one or more computers included in the banking computersystem. At step 504 the input is analyzed through operation of one ormore computers to determine which one of a plurality of bankingtransactions requested by the customer will be processed first and whereto route the banking customer once the customer arrives at the bank.

The banking customer is routed to a first location in step 506. This isdone through communication between one or more computers in the systemand the mobile device. The mobile device provides outputs to indicate tothe customer where the customer is to go.

Alternatively, the customer may be provided with outputs through otheroutput devices that are perceivable in the area where the customer islocated, either inside or outside of the banking facility. This mayinclude, for example, beginning to prepare necessary items for deliveryto the customer through operation of a self service terminal orautomated banking machine.

Alternatively it may include the generation of electronic and/or paperforms through operation of a computer terminal. In other embodiments itmay include the generation of other items by a service provider inresponse to outputs from a teller terminal or other terminal device.

In step 508 data entered by the banking customer is transmitted throughoperation of at least one computer to a first location. The firstlocation may correspond to the banking resource that will handle thefirst banking transaction. Transferring the data to the first locationmay allow the first banking transaction processing to begin by theresource before the banking customer arrives at the first transactionlocation. At step 510 the banking customer may be detected when theyarrive at the bank location. This may be done, for example, by detectingthe presence of the customer's mobile device at the bank location bysensing RF signals or other signals emitted from the device.Alternatively, detecting the customer at the bank may be accomplishedthrough image analysis based on images captured by cameras and processedthrough one or more computers to identify a facial or other imageassociated with the customer. In still other embodiments otheridentifying aspects associated with the customer, such as the customer'sunique identification card or other article, may be sensed. Of coursethese approaches are examples

At the first location a one-time message or password may be presented tothe banking customer in step 512. The one-time message may be generatedthrough operation of one or more computers in response to theirprogramming. The one-time message may be communicated to a device suchas a self-service terminal or other resource that the customer is toutilize in carrying out the customer's transaction. The customer maythen input the one time message. The message is input by the customer tothe customer's mobile phone. The message included as part of the messagefrom the mobile device is communicated through operation of the mobiledevice to one or more computers in the banking system. In accordancewith their programming, one or more computers are operative to comparethe input message received from the mobile device to the one-timemessage generated by the system. In some example embodiments thecomputer is also operative to analyze the source of the communication,such as the particular mobile device and/or the location of the mobiledevice, based on outputs which can be detected by the system. This mayinclude, for example, the system determining the phone number, networkaddress, or other identifying data associated with the mobile device toconfirm that it is the mobile device of the customer. Likewise, GPS orother tracking data may be used to determine the location of theparticular mobile device from which the input is received.

In response to one or more computers in the system determining that thedata input through the mobile device corresponds to the customer and theindicated output code, the at least one computer is operative to causeoutputs or operations at the particular banking resource that cause thecustomer's requested transaction to occur. At step 514 a verificationdetermination is made that the banking customer is at the firstlocation. The verification may include prompting the banking customer toenter the one-time message into a mobile device used by the bankingcustomer and analyzing related data. At step the first 516 transactionis processed.

In an alternative example embodiment the banking computer system may beused to generate personal messages to a banking customer. As a bankingcustomer approaches the bank, welcome terminal, teller terminal,automated banking machine, or other resource location a banking customermay approach to conduct a banking transaction, the banking computersystem may be operative to identify the banking customer. The bankingcustomer may be identified by any of the methods described above, forexample image recognition by devices recording images of persons in thebanking facility. When the banking customer is identified throughoperation of one or more computers, data associated with that customermay be retrieved from one or more data stores. Data is used by thebanking computer system to cause to be produced, a personal greeting orother messages to the banking customer.

In some example embodiments, an electronically communicative chip, suchas a RFID or NFC chip for example, may be implanted into any appropriateor desired location in or on a human person. For example, in order touse the terminal the user would not need to have any other device withthem while at the terminal in order to process a banking transaction.The RFID implant may be placed under the user's skin. For example, thechip may be as small as a grain of sand and be able to besyringe-injected. The chip implant may be in operative connection with abanking computer system to activate the identification software andwould be able to identify the user during a banking transaction. Thesechips may also be placed in any other desired object, such as a pen, aring, a pair of earrings or the like. Responsive to having determinedthat the particular customer is at the terminal based on the implantedor other associated identifying device, one or more computers may beoperative to cause the terminal to provide outputs appropriate for theparticular user.

In other example embodiments, these chipped customers may be able towalk past a “reader” that may verify the customer's identity and linksit to their current banking accounts. These implanted chips may evenautomatically open doors to exclusive areas of the bank for them. Thecustomers may then conduct various banking transactions with a wave oftheir hand and do not need to worry about losing a banking ID card,credit card or wallet. Implanted chips may eliminate the need to carryID documents and credit cards.

In other example embodiments, an electronic device having physicalproperties that are similar to human skin may seamlessly integrate andconform onto the surface of the human skin, such as a patch acting as atemporary tattoo. For example, the epidermal electronic circuit mayinitially be mounted on a thin sheet of soluble plastic or paper andthen laminated onto the human skin with water, just like a temporarytattoo. Once the electronic patch is on, it may bend, wrinkle andstretch along with the user's skin. When the electronic patch is nolonger desired or needed, the patch may be peeled off like a layer ofdead or sun burnt skin. Adhesion of the patch may last as long asdesired, such as twenty-four hours or a week. An electronic patch likethis may be desired when going to the beach or some other place where itmay be inconvenient to carry a phone, wallet or purse. This electronicpatch may communicate with the terminal to act as a personal ID.Alternatively, the electronic device may be temporarily or permanentlytattooed onto the skin of the user, such as with a form of electronicink. This electronic device may be able to communicate with theterminal.

In some example embodiments, other authentication approaches may includegreater use of facial recognition. As discussed in prior embodiments, acomputer may be capable of retrieving the personal data about thebanking customer from a database of personal information in operativeconnection with the banking computer system. The banking computer systemmay be operative to activate the recognition or identification software.The customer may be detected by a camera system that captures images andthat is in operative connection with a computer that operates facialrecognition software. Responsive to having determined that theparticular customer is at the terminal, one or more computers may beoperative to cause the terminal to provide outputs appropriate for theparticular user. Of course these approaches are examples

During an initial authorization process at the bank, a photo of thecustomer may be taken and entered into the facial recognition software.The facial recognition software may identify faces by extractinglandmarks or features from an image of the user's face, such as therelative position, size, and/or shape of the user's eyes, nose,cheekbones, jaw and the like. In addition, facial recognition softwaremay utilize 3-D technology to detect and identify distinctive featureson the surf ace of the user's face, such as the contour of the eyesockets, nose, chin and the like. Other identification or authenticationsoftware may analyze visual details of the user's skin.

Later or during another visit, the customer's face may be analyzed bythe facial recognition software to compare the real-time face of thecustomer to the data related to the face and facial features of thecustomer that may be saved on the bank's server or network 102, whichmay provide instantaneous and accurate identification of the customer.This facial recognition data may also be stored on a chip, such as anRFID or NFC chip, located within the user's banking or ID card or withina chip on the user's mobile device. If the facial recognition data ofthe customer does not match the data of the card or mobile device user,the bank's security team may be notified and the user may not proceedwith any banking transactions. In an example embodiment, the facialrecognition software may operate as a security and identificationmeasure taken at the terminal, whereby instead of using a banking cardor PIN, the terminal may capture an image of the user's face and comparethat image to the image stored in the bank's database in order toconfirm the identity of the user.

In some example embodiments a database of personal information for eachbanking customer may be in operative connection with the bankingcomputer system. Information, such as data corresponding to the historyof the transactions the banking customer conducted at the bank, may besaved in the database. Other information such as the height, weight,hair style, clothes worn, visual images, hobbies, political views,family history, jewelry, health history, previous banking responses,special interests the banking customer may have, and other personnelinformation may be saved in a database. The banking computer system maybe operative responsive to image data captured through one or morecameras to recognize the face, image, clothes, hair, jewelry, watch,shoes, responses and actions of a banking customer during visits to abanking facility and store data corresponding to this information in abanking database for future reference.

In some example embodiments the current mood of a banking customer maybe operatively determined through operation of the banking computersystem. This may be done by analyzing the customer's actions, motions,body language, facial expression or other detectable parameters. If, forexample, it is detected that the customer is acting in ways that suggestthe customer is in a hurry, the computer may cause the banking resourcesuch as a self-service terminal to provide outputs more rapidly, provideoutputs that are shorter, or eliminate promotional messages and takeother steps to cause the terminal to operate more promptly consistentwith the customer's determined status as in a hurry. Alternatively or inaddition, the customer might be presented with the option through anoutput device on one or more banking resources such as an automatedbanking machine or a self-service terminal, to indicate that thecustomer is in a hurry to complete the transaction. When this occurs,one or more computers either within the terminal or outside the terminalmay operate in accordance with their programming to take steps such asthose previously discussed to cause the transaction to be completed morequickly. Of course these approaches are examples

In some example embodiments the greeting or response may be displayed ona screen of a display device of a welcome terminal or other device inthe form of text. Alternatively, the greeting or response message may bepresented on a screen in the form of a virtual person speaking themessage with a corresponding computer generated audio voice output. Insome example embodiments the greeting or response may be presented by adevice that projects a realistic three-dimensional image of a personspeaking the personal message or response message responsive tooperation of one or more computers. In some example embodiments thedevice may be operative to project a holographic image of a person.

In some example embodiments the banking computer system is operative todetermine, based on stored data, the age of the banking customer. Thecomputer operates to cause an image of a simulated person of similar ageto be displayed to the banking customer on an output device. In someexample embodiments the banking computer system may be operative to makea determination of a kind of person likely to put the banking customermost at ease, based on stored data. The at least one computer isoperative responsive to this data to display the image of this type ofperson to the banking customer for welcoming and responding to thebanking customer. Of course these approaches are examples

In some example embodiments the greeting or other messages output to thebanking customer may be tailored to changes in the appearance of thebanking customer. Records of past banking visits may be retrieved from adatabase. Past data on the clothes, wrist watches, shoes, hair styles,weight, jewelry, and/or other data of interest pertaining to the bankingcustomer may be retrieved. In some example embodiments if the bankingcomputer system detects any change in this data, a personal greeting orresponse to the banking customer may be generated through one or morecomputers that compliment the banking customer on the change. In someexample embodiments the banking computer system may analyze image datato detect and identify family members or other people accompanying thebanking customer. The computer may be operative to generate personalgreetings and responses to the family members or other personsaccompanying customers. In some example embodiments a greeting orresponse to the banking customer may be generated responsive to imagedata and/or other information about the people accompanying the bankingcustomer. In some example embodiments the automated banking machine 760may utilize a voice profile and/or a photo profile of the customer inorder to verify that the person attempting to use the machine is anactual customer and to prevent unauthorized transactions at the machine.For example, as also discussed herein, facial recognition software orother recognition software may be utilized to help verify that theindividual is who they say they are prior to the completion of thetransaction at the machine 760.

Features such as analyzing digital information to identify a person ortraits that might be associated with a person are illustrated in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 12/931,261 filed on Jan. 27, 2011 (e.g.,identifies images such as a person wearing a mask, carrying a weapon andthe like) and Ser. No. 12/319,194 filed on Jan. 2, 2009 (e.g., discussesusing the processing power in the machine to look for facial images thatcorrespond to a terrorist or other entity), the disclosures of each ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

In some example embodiments, the machine 760 may include a microphone42. For example, the microphone 42 may detect whether foreign languageaudio is being spoken adjacent to the automated banking machine duringthe transaction. For example, the computer in the automated bankingmachine 760 or a computer in a private cloud 113 connected to theautomated banking machine may operate to recognize the fact that theperson seeking to conduct the transaction is speaking Russian or someother foreign language that is unusual in the vicinity of the machine.The recognition of spoken Russian language occurring at the time of thetransaction might serve as an indicator which causes the machine to comeunder surveillance by the remote service provider operator 22.

Of course, any other factors that can be detected through image analysisby a camera 70 and/or via sound analysis where sound is captured througha microphone 42 could be utilized to be an indicator that a transactionshould be given additional scrutiny. For example, if the camera 70 picksup suspicious activity located around the machine and/or located aroundthe customer attempting to complete a transaction at the machine 760,the machine may prevent the transaction from being completed by sendinga message to the screen indicating the machine is currently inoperableor the like.

The automated banking machine 760 may include software that may providefor automated voice stress analysis of the customer at the machine asmay be picked up by the microphone 42 at the machine 760. The level ofstress of the customer may either be detected through operation of theautomated banking machine computer or a computer that is locatedremotely, including the computer 20 at the remote teller station 22,such as at a banking facility 200, for example. The level of stress ofthe customer could be utilized to make an indication of a possiblefraudulent transaction.

The level of voice stress of the customer may also be in combinationalong with other indicators that might suggest a fraudulent transaction.For example, other indicators might include detecting whether the personbeing unusually sweaty, which could be determined via contact pointswith the machine such as through a connection to the keypad 32.Alternatively, image analysis taken from the camera 70 could be used inconjunction with voice stress analysis taken from the microphone 42 todetermine whether or not the customer keeps looking around, keepsshuffling their feet, exhibits body language or fidgets in ways thatsuggest that they are acting nervously during the transaction. Thisimage analysis could be used to detect the conditions and subject thetransaction to additional scrutiny by the remote teller, for example.

As discussed in more detail herein, the automated banking machine 760may utilize biometric identification, such as via a biometricidentification device 56, to identify the customer using the machine.For example, the automated banking machine may identify a user via animage and/or voice. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/199,518 filed onSep. 1, 2011, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety, illustrates that the automated bankingmachine 760 itself or the remote computer system operated by the userinterface may be utilized to identify a user either by an appearanceaspect, such as an iris scan, retina scan, facial recognition,fingerprint recognition, etc., as well as voice recognition and the useof sound to automatically detect fraud.

In some example embodiments data on pets of the banking customer may beobtained from one or more sources and stored in a data store inoperative connection with the system. In response to identifying theparticular customer, one or more computers may be operative to accessthe data corresponding to the particular customer's pet or pets. Thecomputer may then operate to include in the personal messages to thecustomer comments or messages about the particular customer's pet orpets. In some example embodiments one or more computers in the bankingsystem may operate to analyze the data concerning the customer and makea determination that the customer has certain characteristics whichcause that customer to be classified within a particular category orgroup. In some this approach is an example groups the classification maycorrespond to social status. In other example embodiments, theclassification associated with the customer may indicate that thecustomer is not a native English speaker. In other example embodimentsthe classification may indicate that the customer has a particulardisability and require outputs of a particular type from automatedbanking machines in order to utilize those machines. Based on thisdetermination as to the category in which the particular customer isclassified, the one or more computers are operative to provide outputsto devices through banking resources that correspond to the particularclassification.

In some example embodiments the banking computer system is operativelyconnected to one or more databases with information on the currentweather data, recent news stories, and sporting event results, forexample. This information may be used by one or more computers togenerate a greeting or personal responses to a banking customer tailoredbased on such data. In some example embodiments the banking computersystem is adapted to analyze the images of the banking customer and torecognize movements or other detectable indications that the bankingcustomer is in need of medical care. This might include analysis ofimage data that indicates that a customer is doubled over, is listing,is shaking, or has fallen, for example. The greeting message andresponses may be tailored to the medical care needs. If the bankingcustomer is in need of urgent medical care the banking computer systemmay operate to send one or more messages to bank personnel or to ahospital or an ambulance requesting assistance for the banking customer.

FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of an example method of processingbanking transactions 600. The method begins at step 602 by identifying abanking customer. The banking customer may be recognized when thecustomer arrives at the bank. This may be done through operation of oneor more computers, based on received data in one or more of the wayspreviously discussed. At step 604 the banking customer is presented animage through an output device. The image may be a personalizedwelcoming image and may be presented in one or more of the waysdescribed above. At step 606 personal data about the banking customer isretrieved from a database of personal information in connection with thebanking computer system. At step 608 the images, inputs or otheravailable data or properties associated with the banking customer, orthe inputs the customer has recently provided to devices connected tothe computers, is analyzed to determine the mood of the bankingcustomer. The data is analyzed through operation of one or morecomputers to determine one or more properties corresponding to aprobable mood of the banking customer. The computer then operatesresponsive to the resolved probable mood data to generate a greeting tothe banking customer which corresponds to the result of the analysis. Atstep 610 the banking customer is presented with the greeting.

The greeting may be personalized to the banking customer and may betailored to the resolved data concerning the mood of the bankingcustomer. At step 612 one or more images of the banking customer may beanalyzed to recognize a secondary characteristic. Secondarycharacteristics may include for example, clothes, hair, jewelry, wristwatches, shoes, or other perceivable features associated with thebanking customer. When a secondary characteristic is detected, thecomputer may operate to provide messages to the banking customertailored to the secondary characteristic. At step 614 data correspondingto current weather data, recent news stories, and sporting event resultsmay be retrieved through operation of one or more computers. This datamay be retrieved from one or more data stores included in the bankingsystem.

Alternatively such data may be retrieved from an external source such assources accessible through the Internet or other operatively connectednetwork. This data may be used by one or more computers to generatemessages to the banking customer. At step 616 data corresponding toimages, movement, properties, inputs, tone of voice, or other dataassociated with the banking customer may be analyzed to make adetermination as to when the banking customer is in a hurry. In somecases the customer may provide an input in response to an output messagefrom the welcome terminal or an automated banking machine asking thecustomer to provide one or more inputs to indicate the customer is in ahurry.

When it is resolved or otherwise determined that the banking customer isin a hurry, the computer may operate to cause outputs, wait time, orinformation provided to a customer to be shorter, or the computer mayoperate to eliminate the display or provision of advertising, additionalqueries, or output of other information that might be provided when acustomer is determined not to be in a hurry.

At step 620, images, movement, characteristics or properties associatedwith detectable aspects of the banking customer are analyzed todetermine a probable medical problem of the customer. If the bankingcustomer appears to have a medical problem, one or more computers areoperative to generate a request for medical assistance at step 626. Ifthe banking customer does not appear to have a medical problem, one ormore computers are operative to generate a response to a bankingcustomer as represented at step 622. At step 624 a database of personalinformation corresponding to the banking customer is updated responsiveto operation of one or more computers based on the responses and newpersonal characteristics of the customer.

In some example embodiments a surface computer may be operative toprocess customer banking transactions. The surface computer may beoperatively connected to the network 102 of FIG. 1. For purposes of thisdisclosure, a surface computer will be deemed to be a computer includinga large, generally planar display surface. Through such a displaysurface multiple users may at the same time or during a singletransaction session or during overlapping transaction sessions, receivevisible outputs from the display surface and provide inputs to throughphysical contact with the display surface. In an example embodiment thesurface may comprise a surface which provides a visible output while atthe same time enables the receipt of inputs from multiple users throughcontact with the surface in disposed areas. In some embodiments thedisplay surface may comprise a large single touch screen panel, while inother embodiments the display surface may include a plurality of suchpanels arranged to have the surface thereof in generally a single plane.

In other example embodiments the terminals may include signature pads,whereby the user's signature may be captured at the terminal. Forexample, a display or track pad on a mobile device, which is touchsensitive, may be utilized to allow a user to write on it with theirfinger or a stylus. As another alternative, a signature pad may beintegrated into the touch screen of the terminal. Features may be usedlike those shown in U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61/479,005 filedApr. 26, 2011 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.For example, a glass surface may be utilized, whereby the glass maymeasure the amount of force applied to it. A user may write on the touchscreen with their finger or a stylus and the terminal may not only sensethe positions through which the finger passes, but also the pressurethat is applied to the touch screen. The pressure features and speed maybe indicative of a genuine signature based on repeatability.

This type of force-touch touch screen may be integrated into theterminal. Another alternative may be to include a smart stylus device.The smart stylus device may be like a pen, but the touch and speedmeasuring aspects may be located within the stylus device, whereby thestylus device would be able to capture and detect if the signature wasvalid. Alternatively, the accelerometers located in mobile devices maybe utilized to allow the user to essentially write their name in the airusing their phone to produce their signature. For example, the mobiledevice may be operatively connected to the terminal via wirelesscommunications.

In some example embodiments, avatars and facial transformation softwaremay operate to present the customer with a constant user experience fromthe same “person.” Features may be used like those shown in U.S. patentapplications Ser. No. 12/384,479 filed Apr. 3, 2009 and Ser. No.12/925,114 filed Oct. 14, 2010 the disclosures of each of which areincorporated herein by reference in its entirety. For example, a usermay approach the terminal and that person may be asked if they wouldlike to have the same teller assist them that may have helped them withtheir previous transactions. If they did, then a virtual person wholooked the same (such as avatar or face and voice transformation) mayassist them with the transaction. This way the user could establish arelationship with that virtual teller that would appear to be the sameperson. For example, a file or database of personal information andpreferences could be maintained on each user, whereby that informationcould be provided during each user session.

In an example embodiment each banking customer may have a variety ofinformation stored on a bank network 102 database, such as keeping trackof how long it has been since the user last visited the bank,referencing the user's clothing, additional persons who are accompanyingthe user, pets that accompany the user, changes to the user's hairstyle,the presence of any bandages or casts related to discussions of anyinjuries, noticing the user's use of a handkerchief or tissue that mightindicate a cold or health issue, and other things that may be the basisfor casual conversation, such as the weather, sporting events and thelike, so as to make the terminal-presented teller appear more like aregular individual. In other example embodiments, the computer generatedperson projected at the terminal may include and utilize eye trackingsoftware. The eye tracking software may operate to provide inputs intothe terminal. The eye tracking software may also be used by theterminal-presented teller or avatar so that the teller appears to lookat the user when “speaking.” In addition, eye tracking software mayoperate to permit the customer to communicate with the terminal andcomplete banking transaction using only the customer's eyes and eyemovements.

For example, the user may control the functions of the terminal with themovement of their eyes, whereby the user's eyes may act as a pointer orcursor on the screen. Features may be used like those disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 8,220,706 the disclosure of which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

In some example embodiments the surface computer operates in accordancewith its programming to allow a banking customer to display indiciacorresponding to banking services to be output through a display surfaceof the surface computer, and to allow a banking customer to organize andcompare the accessed banking services. A surface computer may be inoperative connection with one or more cameras or other devices thatoperate to sense the then current position of the user's face and/oreyes. This may be done through software which is operative to analyzedata corresponding to such features.

In such example embodiments when a person selects banking data to bedisplayed with the surface computer, the computer is operative to causethe display surface of the surface computer, based on where on thedisplay surface the banking customer appears to be looking, to displaythe data at that location. The surface computer is operative to allowthe banking customer to compare and sort indicia corresponding todifferent features of the displayed banking services and to select oneof the banking services to be performed through contact with the displaysurface. The surface computer may also be operative to enable a bankingcustomer to display, sort and select indicia corresponding to icons orother indicia output through the display surface to carry outtransactions such as a review of banking account information and to opena banking account. The example surface computer interface is adapted toallow a banking customer to touch, slide a finger and tap the surfacecomputer with a finger when organizing, comparing and selecting data.The touch, sliding and tapping of the surface computer surface isoperative to cause the opening, closing, rotating, flipping, stretchingand shrinking of indicia and data displayed on the display surfaceresponsive to operation of the computer.

In some example embodiments the surface computer may have the displaysurface included as all or part of a desktop or a wall surface. In someexample embodiments the surface computer may receive inputs that enablethe computer to identify the banking customer and operate toautomatically access information stored in a banking database aboutbanking transactions that the identified customer commonly performs. Forexample in some embodiments, images of the banking customer may becaptured by cameras located within the display surface of the surfacecomputer.

The banking customer images may be analyzed by a computer running facialrecognition software. The facial recognition software operating in thesurface computer may operate to identify the customer and provideoutputs or other information in response thereto. In other embodiments asurface computer may receive inputs through the display surface such asbiometric inputs. Such inputs may include, for example, a fingerprintscan or hand scan. The data which is input may be used to identify thecustomer. Of course these approaches are this approach is an example,and in other embodiments other approaches may be used.

In some example embodiments the banking customer may be recognized bysensors that capture data that enables the computer to recognize that amobile device placed on or adjacent to the display surface of thesurface computer belongs to a particular banking customer. This may bedone through sensors that are operative to capture image data or othervisible data of the mobile device that identifies it as belonging to aparticular user.

Alternatively or in addition, the display surface may include othersensors which are operative to sense other characteristics of items.This may include cards, passbooks, checks, tokens, fobs or the like.Further, in still other embodiments, the surface computer may be inoperative connection with an input device such as a wireless inputdevice. The wireless input device may receive inputs from a mobiledevice or other article carried by the user that provides data that canbe used by one or more computers to identify the user. Of course theseapproaches are examples

The surface computer may be adapted to recognize the cell phone, laptopcomputer or personal digital assistant of a banking customer. Thesurface computer may include an interface that enables the bankingcustomer to transfer data from a mobile device to the surface computer,and the surface computer may be adapted to allow the banking customer totransfer data from the surface computer to a mobile device. This may bedone, for example in some embodiments, by an optical interface thatenables sensors included in the display surface to read data output on ascreen associated with a mobile device. Alternatively the data interfacemay include transmission of data through optical signals that areexchanged between the mobile device and the display surface or otherinterface that is in operative connection with the surface computer.

In some example embodiments the surface computer may be operative toallow data to be transferred to the mobile device by providing aninterface to allow a banking customer to touch an icon on the displaysurface and drag the icon to a zone adjacent to or around the mobiledata device while the mobile device is on or touching the displaysurface. The surface computer may operate to allow a banking customer toaccess existing banking account information of the banking customer andto display the account information on the display surface. In someexample embodiments the surface computer is operative to automaticallyretrieve banking customer data from a portable mobile device the bankingcustomer may have placed near the surface computer. Of course theseapproaches are examples

In some example embodiments, the terminal may include a display or touchscreen made of glass. The glass may have a film or other coating placedon the inside surface of the glass, whereby the film may enableprojection of images onto the glass display which can be viewed fromoutside the glass and yet still allow for viewing through the glass fromthe inside out. This glass display or touch screen may operate to permita camera to view through the display while at the same time projectingimages thereon. This glass display or touch screen may operate to allowthe terminal to identify a user by having the user place their driver'slicense up against the display.

For example, the camera behind the display may view the user's facethrough the glass as well as the user's driver's license. Facialrecognition software may then be used by at least one processor todetermine if the driver's license corresponds to the user at theterminal. Additional elements located on a valid driver's license, suchas the presence of holograms and the like, may also be resolved byoperation of the at least one processor and may be used in determiningthat the driver's license is genuine.

As a result, the facial recognition of the person and verification ofthe driver's license may be performed at the same time. In addition, theuser may be verified as the person at the terminal without the need tomaintain an additional database of information regarding the user. Theglass display may also provide the capability of having the customerhold up a check to the display, whereby the check may be imaged throughoperation of the camera and at least one processor and/or viewed by aremote teller. Features may be used of the type shown in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/066,323 filed Apr. 12, 2011 the disclosure ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

In other example embodiments, the terminal may also include a display,such as a glass display, that may be positioned and/or function as ashelf, whereby the shelf may generally be parallel to the floor space.This glass shelf may function as a display, touch screen, track pad,surface computer and the like. The shelf may include a film wherebyimages may be projected onto the underside of the shelf. For example, tocomplete a banking transaction the shelf may project an image of a cardor a mobile device on the shelf to indicate that the user should placetheir card or mobile device on the shelf to complete the transaction.The shelf may interact with both the users touch as well as the userselectronic devices, such as via NFC.

FIG. 7 schematically represents an example method of processing bankingtransactions using a surface computer 700. The method begins at step 702by identifying a banking customer. The banking customer may berecognized through image data captured by devices within the displaysurface of the surface computer or by image capture devices operativelyconnected thereto. Such customer recognition may be accomplished bycapturing images of the customer's face, thumbprint, or other biometricfeatures. One or more computers including the surface computer mayoperate to identify the user based on one or more biometric features.Alternatively, a user may be identified based on an article or signalsoutput by or sensed from the article, such as the user's mobile device,token, passbook, check, checkbook, card or other item that is uniquelyassociated with the customer.

The computer receives data corresponding to the one or more inputs andoperates to determine if the received inputs have a correspondingrelationship to data stored in at least one data store in operativeconnection with the computer. In response to determining that thereceived data corresponds to stored data for a particular customer, thecomputer operates to determine the customer's identity and to resolvethat the identified customer is to be authorized to conduct transactionsthrough the surface computer. At step 704 access is provided that allowsbanking data to be accessed by the identified customer through thesurface computer.

The computer operates responsive to the one or more inputs receivedthrough the display surface to cause data to be retrieved whichcorresponds to that requested by the computer's inputs. At step 706 thedata that is received responsive to the inputs is displayed on thesurface computer. At step 708 an interface is provided through thedisplay surface of the computer to allow a banking customer to organizeand compare indicia corresponding to the accessed banking services. Atstep 710 an interface is provided through the surface computer to allowa banking customer to provide one or more inputs operative to select abanking transaction. At step 712 an interface is provided through thesurface computer to allow a banking customer to open a bank account. Aninterface to allow the performance of a banking transaction is providedat step 714.

At step 716 an interface through the surface computer is provided toallow the transfer data from a mobile device to a banking computersystem. At step 718 an interface is provided through the surfacecomputer to transfer data from a banking computer system to the surfacecomputer may be provided. Thus as can be appreciated, the surfacecomputer may provide various interfaces through the display surface thatenable the provision of outputs and the receipt of inputs that causeselected transactions for users to be carried out. Of course theseapproaches are examples

In some example embodiments a surface computer may be combined with oneor more transaction function devices to provide an automated bankingmachine with transaction capabilities that users may perform on aself-service basis. This may include for example, providing devices thatcan accept bills and/or checks in an area within or below the displaysurface of the surface computer.

For example in some embodiments a device capable of receiving billsand/or checks through an opening, may be positioned with the openingextending in a wall or other surface vertically below a portion of thedisplay surface. Such a device may be operative to receive bills andchecks from a user in some embodiments. Further in other embodimentssuch a device may be operative to dispense currency bills to users.Further in some embodiments several such devices may be positioned inlaterally spaced relation below a generally continuous display surfacewhich extends vertically and horizontally in a plane on or in connectionwith a wall.

In some example embodiments transactions may be conducted using theprinciples previously described. A user may move adjacent to the displaysurface of the surface computer in general alignment with the opening ofsuch a device. Such activity may be facilitated by including an outputthrough the display surface in such an area. Further as discussedpreviously, some embodiments may provide an output including a customername or identifier based on a particular area of the display surfacebeing determined by a computer as the transaction resource a customer isto use to conduct a transaction.

In response to the output, the customer may approach the surfacecomputer and provide the inputs required to accomplish a transaction.This may include for example, the customer providing a card input,biometric input, numerical input, password, PIN or code input, mobiledevice input, or other input of the types previously described which canbe used to identify the particular customer and/or that the particularcustomer is at that location of the surface computer. In somearrangements, the surface computer may provide virtual buttons, akeypad, a keyboard, a dial or other virtual component output through thedisplay surface, which the user can contact, touch and/or manipulate inorder to provide identifying or other inputs.

In other embodiments the display surface may include a card readeropening for a card reader. The card reader may be mounted behind theopening. In other embodiments a card reader can be mounted adjacent tothe display surface. In other embodiments a contactless card reader maybe mounted in or behind the display surface. Of course these approachesare examples

Responsive to having determined that the particular customer is at thelocation at the display surface, one or more computers may be operativeto cause the surface computer to provide outputs appropriate for theparticular user. This may include a predetermined transaction that thecustomer has requested through a welcome terminal or mobile device aspreviously described. Alternatively, the customer may be presented withtransaction options through indicia that are output through the displaysurface. The customer may provide inputs corresponding to data ortransaction selections which are operative to indicate the type,characteristics or properties of the transaction which the user wishesto conduct. The inputs from the user are received through the displaysurface and used through operation of the surface computer or otherconnected computers to carry out the customer's requested transactions.

For example, if the customer has requested to receive cash, the devicelocated adjacent to the display surface of the surface computer in thearea where the customer is standing may operate to cause the cash to bedispensed from the opening. The display surface may operate to indicateto the customer that the cash should be retrieved from the opening belowthe display surface. This can be done through text outputs, arrows,graphics, or other outputs presented through the display surface.Likewise if the customer is providing a deposit transaction, thecustomer may be prompted through graphics or other outputs on thedisplay surface to input bills, checks or other accepted items into theopening below the display surface. The items may be received through theopening and processed through operation of the device in a manner likethat discussed in the incorporated disclosures.

In example embodiments the customer may also receive other prompts oroutputs through the display surface. For example, the surface computermay output a query to the customer as to whether the customer wishes toreceive a receipt. In response to an input to the display surfaceindicating that a receipt is requested, the device positioned in thearea where the customer is located may operate to deliver a receiptthrough the opening. Of course as can be appreciated, other items can beexchanged with the customer and other transactions conducted.

As can be appreciated, in example embodiments the display surface of thesurface computer may comprise a relatively large surface with multiplespaced locations at which transaction sessions for multiple transactionsby different users can be concurrently conducted. Customers may beselectively directed to such locations in the ways previously discussed,so as to facilitate the carrying out of transactions. Further,transactions that do not require the exchange of tangible materials maybe conducted in areas intermediate of the locations and openings inwhich transaction function devices are located.

It should be understood that various types of transaction functiondevices may be located below, above, beside, or even within displaysurfaces. This may include transactions that are carried out bytransporting items to and from the user through use of a VAT carrier.This provides the capability for having numerous differentconfigurations and transaction types. Of course these approaches arethis approach is an example, and in other embodiments other approachesmay be used.

In some example embodiments it may be desirable to enhance securitywithin a banking facility by tailoring the security to the locations ofbanking employees and customers within the banking facility. In someexample embodiments one or more detection devices operative to detect aperson entering the banking facility may be used to identify individualsentering or within a banking facility. The person may be detected and/oridentified by any previously discussed detection method. In some exampleembodiments the banking customer or employee may be automaticallyidentified or may be identified when the person presents a banking cardto a card reading device.

Alternatively a user may be identified by a token, mobile device, fob,passbook or other article that can be read through operation of areading device or that emits signals that can be used to identify theparticular device and/or customer associated therewith. A security levelmay be assigned to the banking customer or employee detected enteringthe bank, through operation of the banking computer system. It should beunderstood that for purposes of this disclosure a security levelcorresponds to authorization and ability to access or operate selecteddata, functions, devices, areas or other things in accordance with rulesor limits that are stored or resolved by one or more computersassociated with the facility.

In an example embodiment a banking customer or employee may only haveaccess to the resources that correspond to the security level assignedto them. A banking computer system may be operative to activatedifferent banking resources corresponding to each identified bankingcustomer or employee when the banking customer or employee approachesthe resource. Some this approach is an example banking resources thatmay be activated according to the assigned security level of the bankingcustomer or employee are computer terminals, computer databases,self-service terminal, safety deposit boxes, access control devices,drawers, office space, storage areas, meeting rooms, automatic bankingmachines, teller areas, safety deposit box areas, and vault areas. Insome example embodiments one or more computers operate so that onlybanking resources adjacent to the determined current location of theperson or within a small immediately adjacent zone around the person areactivated if authorized according to the security level of the person.

The security level may correspond for example, to whether the person isa high value customer, standard customer, new customer, managementbanking employee, supervisory bank employee, teller, other bankemployee, or in another group of people. The level of security of highvalue customers may provide access to more resources, areas or data thanthe security level for regular customers; the security level for regularcustomers may provide greater access than the security level for newcustomers; the security level for managers may provide greater accessthan the security level for supervisory bank employees; the securitylevel for supervisory bank employees may provide greater access than thesecurity level for tellers; and the level of security for tellers mayprovide greater access than the security level for other bank employees.

It should be understood that the category of a particular individualbased on the individual's identity as resolved by one or more computersin connection with the system, may provide such individuals withdifferent types of access to resources, devices, areas, data, or othercapabilities of the system. It should be understood that for differentcategories, the nature of the types of activities that can be performed,as well as the extent of authorization to utilize particular aspects ofthe available capabilities, may be different. Further for purposes ofthis disclosure, greater access may not necessarily requirequantitatively greater capabilities, but only access to differentcapabilities of the facility, system or data.

In some example embodiments a banking facility may be segmented into aplurality of security zones. Zones may correspond to different areaswithin the banking facility or to different banking resources. Thesecurity zones may include office spaces, teller areas, storage areas,safety deposit box areas, vault areas and public areas. Bankingresources that may correspond with a zone include computer terminals,computer databases, account information, safety deposit boxes, drawersand automatic banking machines or other items. Each computer databasemay include a plurality of sub-databases each with its own securitylevel.

In some example embodiments a bank employee with a higher security levelmay override a lower security setting on a banking resource that thebank employee needs to access if a person with a lower correspondingsecurity level is in the same security zone.

FIG. 8 schematically represents an example method of improving bankingsecurity using security levels associated with a person 800. The methodbegins at step 802 by detecting a person entering a bank. When a personis detected, that person may also be identified through operation of oneor more computers. At step 804 a security level is assigned to theperson detected through operation of such computers. Different bankingresources corresponding to the level of security assigned to the persondetected are activated in step 806. The banking resources activatedresponsive to such computers may be only the resources right in front ofthe person, adjacent to the person or within a limited range of theperson to which the person's security level authorizes the person tohave access. Of course these approaches are examples

FIG. 9 schematically represents an example method of improving bankingsecurity using security zones 900. The method begins at step 902 bydividing the banking facility through operation of a computer into aplurality of security zones. Zones may correspond to different areaswithin the banking facility or to different banking resources. In step904 a security level is assigned to an identified person. In step 906banking resources within a security zone are activated corresponding tothe level of security of a person within that zone.

Through operation of one or more computers, the identified individualmay operate to receive access to one or more resources, areas,capabilities, data, functions, or other aspects that may be accessedwithin the banking facility. Computers may operate to minimize the riskof unauthorized activities through the categorization and securitylevels that are applied to particular individuals. As can beappreciated, in the example embodiments the capabilities of identifyingindividuals and of granting them different privileges and access tovarious resources and capabilities enables the more secure conduct oftransactions, as well as the preservation of a more secure environmentwithin the banking facility. Of course it should be understood thatthese approaches are this approach is an example, and in otherembodiments other approaches may be used.

The automated banking machine 760 may include a microphone 42 ormicrophone 42 array. A microphone array is any number of microphones 42operating in tandem, such as those produced by Polycom. The microphonearray may be within the requirements regarding echo cancellation andnoise suppression that may more reliably perform voice recognition andvoice commands. In an example embodiment, the video and non-videotransactions may function in a similar manner.

In an example embodiment, the customer may identify themselves as theyapproach the machine either verbally through their phone 764 or verballyto the machine 760. Alternatively, the machine 760 may just pick up onthe customer's approach due to an application on the customer's phone764 that alerts the machine 760 that a customer is approaching. Ofcourse it should be understood that these approaches are this approachis an example, and in other embodiments other approaches may be used.

The customer may tell the video teller or the machine what sort oftransaction they want to do, such as verbally stating “I would like todeposit $50 into my savings account and view the balance of my checkingaccount,” which would be the same thing that the customer may say ifthey had walked into the bank itself. If no video teller is present, thetransaction may process the same as if the customer had selected thebuttons on the machine. If a video teller is present, the applicationreceives the information just as if the video teller selected thevarious buttons on the machine. The video teller may then talk to thecustomer while the transaction is being processed and then asks thecustomer if they need anything else.

Alternatively, if a mobile device or smart phone 764 is in proximity tothe machine, instead of fully integrating with an application on thesmart phone 764, the application may just be viewed as a microphone andspeaker to switch to, the customer may swipe their phone 764, then saywhat sort of transaction they want to perform into their phone.

This application may provide the same experience at the machine 760 as acustomer may experience in a banking facility 200 without having topress any buttons at the machine, which may speed up the processing oftransactions at the machine. This may also provide accessibility forthose customers with disabilities. In addition, this type of applicationmay also allow the machine to answer more complicated questions just asthe banking facility staff may be able to. For example, the customer mayask “If I purchased a $5,000 vehicle what would my monthly payment befor 42 months at my current interest rate?” Or similar types ofquestions.

The machine may react to a customer's voice commands, either directly tothe machine 760, such as into a microphone 42, or the machine may reactto a customer's voice commands that may be provided through a smartphone 764, whereby the smart phone 764 may communicate with the machine,such as through an antenna 80 and mobile interface device 82, asillustrated in FIG. 29. Of course it should be understood that theseapproaches are this approach is an example, and in other embodimentsother approaches may be used.

The automated banking machine 760 may include a microphone 42. In oneexample embodiment, the microphone 42 on the machine 760 may be utilizedto analyze any noises that may correspond to the installation of anunauthorized sensing device. This includes evaluating various factorsand features adjacent to the machine 760 for purposes of determining ifan unauthorized device has been attached or installed on an automatedbanking machine, such as sensing vibratory properties of the machine inorder to detect the installation of an unauthorized device, for exampleas illustrated in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/200,697 filed onSep. 28, 2011, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety. The machine 760 may also utilize the camera70 to aid in determining if any unauthorized devices may be beinginstalled.

The microphone 42 may be utilized to capture sounds that could beanalyzed through operation of a local or remote processor to determineif they correspond to drilling, prying or other unsavory activity. Thesound may be recorded through the operation of the automated bankingmachine processor and then the recorded sounds may be analyzed throughthe remote systems to determine what the sounds are related to. Inaddition, the machine microphone 42 related sound analysis system mayalso be associated with an alarm or alerting system 774. The alarm 774may correspond to the probable installation of a suspected device.

In another example embodiment, sound analysis for other types of attackson the machine may also be included. For example, this may includeanalyzing sounds that might correspond to attempting to access theautomated banking machine such as picking a lock, which may provideaccess to the upper housing. Other sounds that could be analyzed couldbe sounds that may be associated with someone attempting to install abill trap or a card trap in the depositor and/or card reader 92. Or justanalyzing any other sounds that involve unsavory activity related to themachine, such as scraping, prying, hammering and the like. Of course itshould be understood that these approaches are this approach is anexample, and in other embodiments other approaches may be used.

Example embodiments also include a financial transaction arrangement inwhich a service provider's terminal (or station) is in operativeconnection with a customer's terminal. The operative connection permitsthe service provider (e.g., a bank teller) to view the same transactioninformation as the customer. For example, the service provider may view(through their touch screen) the same transaction screen that iscurrently being displayed through the customer's touch screen. Thecommunication arrangement can include a system like those described inU.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/360,008 filed Feb. 21, 2006, thedisclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

The operative connection between the service provider's touch screen andthe customer's touch screen also allows the service provider to makemarkings on their touch screen which get displayed through thecustomer's touch screen. That is, with the same transaction screen beingsimultaneously displayed to the teller and the customer, the teller canmark on their display to cause the mark to be displayed on both touchscreens. For example, the teller can touch their touch screen to createa marking (or drawing) that circles the “I accept” button being outputin the common transaction screen being displayed on the teller's touchscreen. The creation of this marking made by touching the teller's touchscreen also causes this same display marking to be displayed on thecustomer's touch screen. While a marking is being drawn it can besimultaneously displayed on both touch screens. That is, a marking beingmade through one screen can be displayed in real time on the otherscreen.

In an example arrangement, a marking can be produced by the tellersliding or dragging a user finger while it remains in contact with thetouch screen, from a first location on the touch screen to a secondlocation on the touch screen. A marking can comprise an outline of apath that follows the movement of a finger placed in contact with thetouch screen and then is slid while it remains in contact with the touchscreen. The marking created will correspond to the path taken by theteller's finger. That is, the marking generated will follow the courseof (trace) the screen-contacting finger (or other screen writing tool).Likewise, a marking made through the customer's touch screen is alsodisplayed on the teller's touch screen. That is, a customer can producemarkings that the teller can see.

The service provider's terminal and the customer's terminal both includeapplication software that allows their touch screens to communicate witheach other over a network. The touch screen may be part of various formsof terminals or computers, including for example, a laptop, surfacecomputer, desktop computer, embedded computer, self-service terminal,automated banking machine, iPad, tablet, smart phone, a handheldportable device, or other device operative to run applications useful incommunicating display screen overlays. A marking can be created usingdisplay screen overlay software. The application software causes thesame screen overlay that is created by the teller touching the teller'stouch screen, to be reproduced through the customer's touch screen, andvice versa.

The service provider can be local or remote relative to the customer.For example, a local service provider may comprise a bank teller (orother bank employee) in a bank building, where the teller is assisting acustomer in the same bank building. In contrast, a remote serviceprovider may be located in one building while the customer is in anotherbuilding. A remote service provider may even be located in a differentcountry.

The service provider can provide inputs through the customer's touchscreen to guide the customer through a transaction. The communicationarrangement link between the service provider's touch screen and thecustomer's touch screen permits the service provider to electronicallypoint to specific locations on the customer's touch screen. For example,the service provider may control a virtual pointer which is movablydisplayed on the customer's touch screen to point out banking options orinformation. Such a pointer may also be used to show a customer whichinput devices to press to engage a particular transaction function.These customer input devices can be physical function buttons that arelocated adjacent to a customer screen's side. Such input devices canalso be virtual buttons or icons that are displayed through thecustomer's touch screen.

In another example, the service provider may use a type of teleprompterwhich enables the customer to view an arrow on the customer's touchscreen. Besides the touch screen, the service provider station may alsoinclude input devices such as a touch pad and mouse that enable theservice provider to move indicators such as a pointer, highlighter, oricons on the customer's display screen. In this way a service provideris able to indicate to the customer particular features or items asappropriate in connection with the display currently being output on thecustomer's display screen. The example arrangement allows a serviceprovider to better assist a customer in understanding exactly whichbutton or key to operate, or which section of the customer's touchscreen to touch to achieve the desired effect.

An example arrangement allows the service provider to physically contacttheir touch display screen to provide (e.g., draw) hand written notes,comments, marks, and/or symbols which get displayed through both theservice provider's touch screen and the customer's touch screen. Theservice provider also has options for turning their (and the customers')multi-displayed drawing feature on and off.

The service provider can create a marking by contacting their touchscreen with their finger(s) or with some other hand drawing/writingimplement. For example, such implement can comprise an electronic pen,teleprompter, finger pad, or mouse.

FIG. 15 shows a customer's touch screen 210 that is part of a customerstation (or terminal) which can also have a computer and othercomponents/devices. As previously discussed, the screen has a displayarea which can output information that allows a customer to carry out adesired transaction or other banking function. In the example shown, thescreen 210 presents an output 212 that includes a (make selection)message and virtual buttons (function keys) for selecting a functioninvolving any of an ATM 214, a loan 216, or a teller 218.

A customer can touch the corresponding key to select the transactionfunction desired. Touching the ATM key 214 correspond to a customerselection that causes the customer station to function as an automatedbanking machine, which can include a user data reader (e.g., cardreader, biometric reader), cash dispenser, check acceptor, an/or adeposit acceptor. Touching the loan key 216 presents the customer with aseries of screen outputs for filling out a loan application request.Touching the teller key 218 connects the customer with a teller. Theteller key 218 may be shown in every screen output so the customer canalways contact the teller for assistance. It should be understood thatmany other buttons and screen displays can be presented to a customer.The displays output through the customer screen 210 are determined andcontrolled by corresponding computer programming.

FIG. 16 shows a service provider's touch screen 220. The provider'stouch screen 220 can be physically larger (with a larger displaysurface) than the customer touch screen 210. The extra area of theservice provider's display surface can include information usable by theservice provider to assist the customer in performing a bankingfunction. This information can include data which the customer cannotsee.

The provider screen 220 can simultaneously output several differentdisplays in respective different areas (or portions) of the displaysurface. For example, a first display area 222 can display the identicalcustomer screen output 212 that is being displayed (as shown in FIG. 15)through the customer's display screen 210. A second display area 224 canprovide visual tools 230 which the provider can use in assisting thecustomer. A third display area 226 can output customer account data. Afourth display area 228 can output real time images of the customer,which are captured by a camera near the customer station.

The on-screen visual tools 230 can include (for example) predeterminedicons, symbols (e.g., arrows), words (e.g., instructions), thumb nails,and/or images. The example work tools shown include selectable symbols238 for an arrow, “X”, check mark, and the numerals one and two. Theexample work tools also include virtual buttons for selection of draw,audio, and visual. Touching the draw button 232 allows the serviceprovider to manually mark on the screen, which in turn (as previouslydiscussed) causes the generated mark to be displayed on both touchscreens. The audio button 234 places the provider in audio communicationwith the customer. The visual button 236 allows the provider to view thecustomer in the display area 228.

The service provider can touch their screen 220 to drag and drop asymbol from the display (work) area 224 onto the display area 222 thatshows the reproduction of the customer's screen output. For example, theservice provider can move (e.g., using a finger, a mouse, etc.) thevisual arrow 240 (or a shadow copy thereof) to an exact location on thecustomer screen output 212 shown in the display area 222. This movementcauses a copy of the arrow 240 to visibly remain at that specificlocation on both the reproduced customer screen output 222 and theactual customer screen output 212. The finger-sliding drag and dropfeature also allows the arrow 240 (or a different visual symbol) to berotated so it can be pointed in a specific direction (or orientation) ata particular item (e.g., a virtual button) being displayed in thecustomer's screen output 212.

An example arrangement involving a local service provider will now bediscussed. A customer enters a bank and proceeds to a self-servicetransaction machine (e.g., customer terminal, customer station,automated banking machine, etc.), which includes a touch screen andaudio/video devices. The machine has the bank's customer assistanceapplication operating thereon. While using the machine to perform atransaction the customer provides input to the machine that requestsassistance.

The bank's customer communication network places the machine in contactwith an available bank employee (e.g., a bank teller) who is located inthe bank. This enables the bank employee to view on the touch screen oftheir terminal, the same screen output that is being displayed throughthe machine's touch screen. The network also places the bank employeeand customer in real time audio and visual communication with each othervia the terminal and machine. The bank employee can converse with thecustomer to determine the type of assistance desired.

The bank employee can assist the customer such as by contacting theirtouch screen with their finger in pointing to a specific area of thescreen output. This contacting causes a marking to be produced anddisplayed on both the bank employee's touch screen and the machine'stouch screen. The marking produced corresponds to (matches) the movementof the bank employee's finger while it was contacting the touch screen.As previously discussed, the marking can be an indication that informsthe customer or designates a particular area of the customer's screen,including markings of an arrow, circle, rectangle, asterisk, letter “X”,number(s), character(s), underline, note, highlight, etc.

In some example embodiments, the terminal may have the ability to havedocuments filled out and executed using the terminal. The display mayprovide for a split screen where a teller may be present on one side anda form may be present on the other side. The user may then complete theform with the help of the teller by touching the screen. The user mayalso sign the form in a manner such as previously discussed, by themovement of their finger over the screen or by agreeing that their imageas taken by a camera or other input constitutes their designatedsignature on the form. Features may be used as disclosed in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/135,143 filed Jun. 27, 2011 the disclosure ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.Alternatively, instead of completing the documents at the terminal, thedocuments from the terminal may be loaded onto the mobile device of theuser, whereby the user could then transport the documents home to becompleted at their convenience, such as on their mobile device.

The teller may be located at a remote location and may be able to handleseveral different land based terminal locations. The teller may be alive human being or a computer generated teller. The terminal mayinclude a help button. For example, if a customer initiates a bankingtransaction on their own, but during the transaction finds that theyneed assistance completing the transaction, the user may push a helpbutton and a video feed of a live teller may come on the display screento assist the user in completing their banking transaction at theterminal. As an alternative, the user could just opt to have a liveteller assist them through the entire banking transaction from start tofinish immediately upon walking up to the terminal.

The use of a live teller being presented via a video or a virtual tellermay provide additional services to customers up to twenty-four hours aday, thereby giving banking customers the benefit of a teller duringnon-traditional banking hours. The customer may have a live or virtualteller assist them in any desired kind of banking transaction, such aswithdrawing or depositing money, transferring money between accounts,issuing money orders, depositing checks, filling out a loan application,and the like.

In some example embodiments, the terminal may include voice responsesystems. These systems may be interactive or automated and may beutilized to help guide customers through various transactions. Forexample, the terminal may respond to voice commands from the customer aswell as audibly respond back to the customer, whereby the entiretransaction may take place verbally without any physical interactionrequired on the part of the customer, such as pushing buttons ortouching the touch screen. Responsive to listening to the customer, oneor more computers may be operative to cause the terminal to provideoutputs appropriate to assist the user through the desired transaction.

An this approach is an example arrangement involving a remote serviceprovider will now be discussed. Instead of the service provider being abank teller who is located in the same bank as the customer (asdiscussed above in the local service provider arrangement), the serviceprovider is remotely located from the customer. For example, the serviceprovider and the customer may be located in different cities. Thecustomer can still use a self-service transaction machine (e.g.,customer terminal, customer station, automated banking machine, etc.),which includes a touch screen and audio/video devices. However, themachine is not limited to being located inside of a bank building. Themachine has a customer assistance software application operatingthereon.

A communication network (which may include the Internet) allows thecustomer to place the machine in communication with the serviceprovider's station. This enables the service provider to view on theirtouch screen the same screen content that is being output through themachine's touch screen. The service provider can provide assistance bycontactingly engaging their touch screen to cause a correspondingmarking to be displayed on the machine's touch screen. Likewise, thecustomer can contactingly engage their touch screen to cause a marking(e.g., a question mark) to be displayed on the service provider's touchscreen. Audio (microphone/speaker) and visual (camera/display)communications are also available.

Another this approach is an example arrangement involving a remoteservice provider will now be discussed. Instead of the customer using aself-service transaction machine (as discussed above in the prior remoteservice provider arrangement), the customer uses a personal portablecomputing device, which has a display screen. For purposes of thisexample, a smart phone will be used. However, as discussed previously,it should be understood that many other types of personal portablecomputing devices can be used.

The phone has the customer assistance application thereon. The customercan be a client of a transaction assistance service that is affiliatedwith the application. The service offers live human assistance to carryout financial transactions. The transactions may involve banking, stocktrading, investing, gambling, etc. A financial institution (e.g., bank,brokerage, casino) may provide the service for free to a customer who isconsidered to be a VIP (very important person) by that institution.Alternatively, a customer may be required to pay a fee for thetransaction assistance service.

While the customer is using their phone to carry out a remote bankingtransaction, assistance with the transaction is needed from the service.The customer uses the customer assistance application to access theservice's communication network. This access allows the customer tocommunicate with a live service provider. This access also allows theservice provider's touch screen to be linked with the phone's displayscreen. The service provider can view through their display touch screenthe same transaction information that is being output through thephone's display screen.

In a manner previously discussed, the service provider can provideassistance to the customer by manually slidingly engaging their touchscreen to cause a corresponding sliding marking to be output through thephone's display screen. Furthermore, the phone screen may be a touchscreen, enabling the customer to cause similar markings to be generatedand displayed through the service provider's touch screen.

Both the service provider terminal and the customer terminal can includemore than one display screen. The example arrangement also permitsvisual and audio communication between the service provider and thecustomer. The service provider and the customer can view each otherthrough a respective display screen. For example, a touch screen can beused that allows a PIP (picture in picture) type of display.

The example arrangement enhances customer service because it allows theservice provider to view the same transaction information (e.g., samedisplay screen output) that the customer is currently viewing. Thisarrangement can reduce average time used by a teller in assisting acustomer to carry out a banking function.

The automated banking machine 760 may include the option for a teller22, such as a teller located remotely from the automated banking machine760, to take control of the transaction to assist the customer withtheir transaction. As described above and illustrated in FIG. 1, theteller or remote teller 22 may comprise a thin client softwarearchitecture in operative connection with a server running applicationsrequested by the remote teller terminal 22. The remote teller terminal22 may comprise a computer operative to run some applications locallytherein while accessing other applications that are run remotely onanother computer such as a server 90. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 29,in the example system 100, one or more banking computers 20 may beoperatively connected to the network 102. Of course it should beunderstood that these approaches are this approach is an example, and inother embodiments other approaches may be used. An application mayreside on the machine 760 that may include an option for a “help” inputor speak to a teller button 812 on a touch screen 784 of the display 44.Alternatively, the same help button 812 or a separate help button mayprovide this input that could cause the application to send an e-mailmessage or other message to the remote service center or remote tellerterminal 22, which may identify the particular terminal 760 at which theuser was requesting assistance.

In an example embodiment, the machine 760 may be operating PC remotecontrol software, such as PC Anywhere, or any other similar type ofproduct like Axeda, GoToMyPC, TightVNC, VNC, Remote Desktop Connectionand TeamViewer. The PC Anywhere or Axeda type software located on themachine 760 may then provide the remote service provider 22 withinformation about the current status of all of the devices in themachine. The PC remote control software may also provide informationconcerning the machine's current state. For example, this may includewhether any of the devices in the machine were indicating a malfunctioncondition, whether any of the software in the machine was indicating anabnormal state, and also in general the state (particular transactioncondition) of the software on the machine. Of course it should beunderstood that these approaches are this approach is an example, and inother embodiments other approaches may be used.

The remote service provider may see this information graphicallyrepresented on a display 220 at the remote service provider's station22. For example, the customer may initiate that an e-mail message besent to the remote service provider's station 22 in response to aservice provider inquiry information on status, state, etc. being sentto the remote computer associated with the service provider, and thismay be output in a manner that is visible to a service provider, such asillustrated in FIG. 16.

Once the service provider has the information about the machine 760 infront of them, the user may then establish the remote video and audiocommunications link to the machine. In this way, the teller's face mayappear on a screen or on a portion of the screen 789, and the teller'svoice may come out of the speakers 38 located on or adjacent to theautomated banking machine 760, as illustrated in FIG. 31.

Likewise, the teller would be able to see the user and hear the userthrough a microphone 42 located on or adjacent to the automated bankingmachine 760, as shown in FIGS. 30 and 31. Based on the user'sconversation with the teller and the teller's ability to verify thestatus of the devices, such as the output devices 46, for examplecorresponding to a malfunction, the service provider could then utilizethe PC Anywhere functionality from the remote computer 20 at the serviceprovider station 22 to operate the devices as needed.

Operating the devices 46 remotely could remedy the condition. This mayinclude, for example, cycling the devices that have a problem to clear ajam. Alternatively, if the service provider cannot clear the jam throughremote operation, or the jam is such that remote operation of theparticular device is not sufficient (or making software changes, such asresetting a condition that is causing a software fault) cannot correctthe problem, and then the remote service provider could take steps toprovide alternative solutions. Of course it should be understood thatthese approaches are this approach is an example, and in otherembodiments other approaches may be used. The machine 760 may beoperated to print a particular document that may include codes or otherdata. Codes or other data may provide the information that would allowanother teller, or another machine, to verify that the printed documentis genuine, and may also indicate what needs to be done in order tofulfill the transaction that the person was trying to conduct when theautomated banking machine malfunctioned. This may include for example,dispensing cash to the user, crediting the user's account for cash or acheck that they were depositing, providing the user with a money order,or doing other things. The record that is produced would include indiciathat are encoded and readable by humans and/or by a machine in order tocomplete the transaction.

The machine user may then take this coded record to another machine 760and have the transaction fulfilled. This fulfillment may involve theuser provider some form of identification, such as a bank card, driver'slicense, biometric input, and the like, that may correspond with thedata that was included on the record, and/or that would also be includedin the data store 110 at the bank operating the automated bankingmachine. This data would enable the machine to provide the data and thebank system 100 to recover data included in one or more data stores 110that indicates that this particular user has an unfulfilled transaction.

Other indicia that may be included on the record could be read through adocument analysis device 93. The document analysis device 93 may be ofany appropriate type of device, such as that illustrated in U.S. Pat.No. 8,141,774 which discloses cashing checks based on a user identifyingthemselves via a driver's license. The disclosure of U.S. Pat. No.8,141,774 issued on Mar. 27, 2012 is hereby incorporated by reference inits entirety. The analysis device may read the indicia off of the recordthat was printed by the other machine. The document analysis device 93may also be a device that may be used to analyze data on checks and/orcurrency bills.

The information from the record may then be interpreted and messages maybe sent by the machine 760 to the remote computer 20 that may comparethe indicia, which may correspond to what is required to fulfill thetransaction, such as corresponding to data stored in one or more datastores 110. If the fulfillment data is appropriate for the particularuser and corresponds to what is on the record, the remote computer 20may then send the appropriate messages to the automated banking machine760 to cause the fulfillment of the transaction, providing the user withthe particular things, such as dispensing cash or crediting the user'saccount, and the like, that they should have received in the originaltransaction. Of course it should be understood that these approaches arethis approach is an example, and in other embodiments other approachesmay be used.

In some embodiments, the receipt of a fulfillment request maynecessarily result in notification to a human service provider, such asa remote teller 22, who observes and/or controls the operation of thedevices to avoid any fraud in connection with the completion of thetransaction. Alternatively, a system 100 of this type may enable themachine 760 to complete the fulfillment automatically, provided that thedata from the record and the data in the bank's database 110 regardingwhat is required for fulfillment of the transaction correspond to oneanother.

In addition, another aspect of this approach may be that if part of theautomated banking machine 760 has malfunctioned in a way that cannot beeasily fixed, the remote service provider 22 may use the remote controlsoftware and an appropriate interface to make any appropriate number ofchanges at the machine so as to allow the automated banking machine 760to continue operating with limited functionality. This may include, forexample, disabling certain software routines in the machine applicationthat are associated with functions that can no longer be performed dueto those devices 46 being broken.

Alternatively, the remote service provider may initiate screen changesconcerning outputs from the display 44. These screen changes may beoperative to indicate to a user approaching the machine 760 thatparticular transactions cannot be performed using this machine at thepresent time. In addition, the service provider from their serviceprovider terminal 22 may send data corresponding to different softwareand different screens 786 down to the terminal 760 that causes machineoperation in ways that do not involve the devices that have currentlymalfunctioned. This might be done in any appropriate manner, such asthose disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/844,377 filedJul. 27, 2010 and/or Ser. No. 12/931,266 filed Jan. 27, 2011, thedisclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by reference intheir entirety.

The remote service provider 22 may use his input devices and remotecomputer 20 to download new states and screens or new programs that maycontrol the machine operation and send new display data 786 to theterminal to address the malfunction. The information provided by theremote service provider 22 to achieve fulfillment of the user'stransaction may also be utilized by the remote computer to determine adifferent set of screens 786 and software for the particular machine,and automatically cause these screens to be sent down to the machine 760so that the machine 760 may continue to operate using that software andthose screen outputs until the machine 760 is restored to full service.

It is to be understood that in different embodiments the downloading maybe in the nature of completely new software routines. Alternatively, thedownloading may be in the nature of configuration changes, such as isdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,123,120, the disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Downloadingconfiguration data may generally involve downloading code and somemarkup language documents that may essentially establish relationshipsbetween the various functions of the devices so that the transactionflow may be modified. Of course it should be understood that theseapproaches are this approach is an example, and in other embodimentsother approaches may be used.

Another aspect of this embodiment may be that once the machine 760 hasbeen repaired, the original configuration settings and software may berestored on the machine. This may be done in any appropriate manner. Forexample, the original terminal software and configuration settings maybe stored in a partition on the hard drive of the automated bankingmachine, which is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/335,017 filed on Dec. 22, 2011 and/or Ser. No. 13/134,592 filed onJun. 10, 2011, the disclosures of each of which are incorporated hereinby reference in their entirety. These cases disclose how the automatedbanking machine may store its last software load in a separate partitionfor the purposes of recovery.

At the completion of the servicing operations, the servicer may thenprovide inputs that may cause the restoration of the stored lastsoftware and configuration data, which would return the machine to fullservice based on data stored 110 at the machine 760. Alternatively or inaddition, the servicer may also provide one or more inputs that maycause a message to be sent to a remote computer 20. The remote computermay then recover the software and configuration data and downloadappropriate configuration data and software to the machine thatcorresponds to what was in place on the machine, such as the originalsoftware load, before the malfunction occurred so that the machine maynow be in operational condition.

There are many additional functions and transaction types that may becarried out with the assistance of a remote teller or other serviceprovider such as transactions that are carried out through a videoconnection 789 with the remote teller. Many teller transactions may beautomated through operation of an automated banking machine 760. Anexample includes cash withdrawal requests that are larger than isauthorized through automated systems. For example, many banks haveestablished policies that they will not authorize daily cash withdrawalsfrom automated banking machines greater than a threshold. Typically if acustomer wanted to make a withdrawal from their account for an amount atleast as great as the threshold, the customer would be required to enterthe banking facility and carry out the transaction with a live teller.In some example embodiments hereinafter discussed, the customer may beauthorized to carry out such transactions at the machine.

In an this approach is an example arrangement the remote teller maybecome involved in transactions only where necessary and as briefly aspossible. This will maximize the benefits of the involvement of theremote teller who communicates with the customer at the machine viatwo-way audio and video to only those situations where their assistanceis needed. However, in this approach is an example arrangements if acustomer at an automated banking machine requests teller involvement,the remote teller may provide assistance for multiple transaction stepsor multiple transactions being carried out by the customer.

In the example arrangement additional capabilities for operation ofautomated banking machines may be accomplished by computer softwareoperating in one or more servers. The servers are in operativecommunication with at least one automated banking machine, at least onecomputer including a teller station terminal, and other computers. Theat least one server and associated software may be included in aservices cloud 113 which provides transaction functions that facilitatethe carrying out of transactions at the automated banking machine. Thecomputers included in the services cloud may also make determinationsconcerning how to process certain transactions and may also providecommunications between teller station terminals and the machines. In theexample arrangement the computers included in the services cloud mayoperate to determine the nature of a requested transaction and determinehow to generate messages or otherwise handle the transactions based onstored policy data or other information. In some example arrangementstransactions may be allowed or denied based on the system configuration.This may be done in a manner such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.7,861,924; 7,946,480; and/or in U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/068,461 filed May 11, 2011; and/or Ser. No. 12/803,255 filed Jun. 22,2010 the disclosures of each of which patents and applications areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Of course it shouldbe understood that these approaches are this approach is an example andin other embodiments other approaches may be used.

In one example transaction carried out in an example embodiment acustomer may request a $200 cash withdrawal from the automated bankingmachine. In this example transaction a user may input their card, PINand/or other identifying data into the machine. The machine computeroperates in accordance with its programming to generate one or moremessages corresponding to the user's request. In this approach is anexample arrangement the one or more messages corresponding to the user'scash withdrawal request are routed to at least one server computerincluded in the services cloud 113. The computer software operating inat least one computer of the services cloud operates to determine thatthis requested transaction is within the normal permitted withdrawallimits for such transactions. That is, it is below the threshold thathas been established and is authorized to be automatically carried outprovided that the approval criteria are met. The computer of theservices cloud then operates in accordance with its programming to causemessages corresponding to those from the machine to be communicated to atransaction processing host which serves as a transaction authorizingcomputer. The transaction processing host includes one or more computersthat operate to determine if the requested transaction should beauthorized. The transaction processing host operates to determine if theaccount identifying data corresponds to an account that is authorized toconduct a transaction through the machine, and whether the input PIN orother data corresponds to an authorized user of that account. Thetransaction processing host also determines whether the account includessufficient funds to provide the requested $200 withdrawal request. Ifthe identifying data is appropriate and the account has sufficientfunds, the transaction processing host operates to generate at least onemessage which indicates that the transaction is authorized.

In the example arrangement the one or more messages from the transactionprocessing host are communicated to the computer included in theservices cloud. The computer of the services cloud then generatesmessages to the automated banking machine that correspond to themessages from the host which indicate the transaction is authorized. Theautomated banking machine then operates responsive to these messages tocause the requested cash to be dispensed. The transaction processinghost in this example also generates data in its messages that authorizethe transaction that causes a printer in the automated banking machineto automatically print a receipt for the transaction and deliver it tothe customer at the machine. The dispense of cash successfully from themachine causes the machine to print the receipt and to send one or moremessages which indicate that the cash was successfully dispensed and thecustomer's account should be assessed an amount corresponding to thevalue of the cash dispensed. In this example arrangement the messagesfrom the machine are sent to one or more computers in the servicescloud. The computer of the services cloud operates in accordance withits programming to cause messages with corresponding data to be sent tothe transaction processing host. The transaction processing hostoperates in accordance with its programming to cause the customer'saccount to be assessed for the value of the cash that was dispensed tothe customer.

Of course it should be understood that if the transaction processinghost determines that the identifying data associated with the account orthe customer does not correspond to an account or a customer authorizedto conduct a transaction at the machine, and/or if the customer'saccount does not have sufficient funds to satisfy the withdrawalrequest, the host operates to send one or more messages that decline thetransaction. These messages are sent to the computer in the servicescloud which operates in accordance with its programming to causemessages to be sent to the machine. The machine computer operates tocause the machine to provide at least one output that informs thecustomer that their transaction cannot be processed. Of course theseapproaches are this approach is an example and in other arrangementsother approaches may be used. This may include, for example, thecomputers in the services cloud operating to cause the automated bankingmachine to communicate messages directly with the transaction processinghost. This might be done, for example, by the automated banking machinecommunicating with the one or more computers in the services cloud toidentify the nature and amount of a currently requested transaction. Thecomputer in the services cloud may then operate in accordance with itsprogramming to cause one or more messages to be sent to the machinewhich causes the machine to route its messages directly to thetransaction processing host. Of course this approach is an example andin other arrangements other message flows may be used.

In another example transaction the customer requests an $800 cashwithdrawal from the machine 760. In this example transaction thecustomer inputs their card data through a card reader and PIN through akeypad and/or other identifying data, as well as the amount of therequested withdrawal. In this example transaction the amount of thewithdrawal requested is above the threshold. In this approach is anexample arrangement the automated banking machine operates to generateone or more messages corresponding to the request. The request is routedto one or more computers included in the services cloud 113. Thecomputers in the services cloud operate in accordance with theirprogramming to determine that the requested transaction is at least asgreat as the daily permitted cash withdrawal limit which is capped at$500 (in this case $501 per day would be the threshold).

Based on the determination made by the at least one computer in theservices cloud that receives this message, the at least one computeroperates in accordance with its programming to cause this transaction tobe evaluated and if appropriate fulfilled through the involvement of aremote service provider at a remote teller terminal.

In the example embodiment the at least one computer in the servicescloud operates in accordance with its programming responsive to the oneor more messages from the automated banking machine to generate at leastone message to the host processing computer that corresponds to thecustomer's request. In the example arrangement the services cloudcomputer operates to generate one or more messages to the host computerthat includes data corresponding to the machine user input card and PINdata but with amount data that is below the daily cash withdrawalthreshold. In the example transaction the amount is caused by thecomputer to be replaced with the maximum whole dollar amount below thethreshold that can be automatically authorized through operation of thetransaction processing host. In this example the substituted amount is$500. The computer in the services cloud causes the messages to berouted to the transaction processing host, and the host operates inaccordance with its programming to determine if the requestedtransaction for the maximum daily amount is authorized. The transactionprocessing host then operates in accordance with its programming tocause one or more messages to be returned to the computer in thetransaction services cloud which indicate whether a transaction belowthe threshold would be authorized. If the transaction processing hostdetermines that the card and PIN data input by the user correspond to anauthorized account and user, the computer included in the services cloudoperates in accordance with its programming to cause a notification tobe sent to a computer included remote teller workstation 22 (alsoreferred to herein as a terminal) that is in operative connection withthe services cloud. The selected workstation to which the transaction isrouted may be determined by one or more computers in the services cloudbased on the current availability of the service provider associatedwith the terminal to perform the transaction, and work load sharingsoftware that operates in one or more computers of the services cloud.The remote teller workstation includes a computer that executes softwareinstructions and has other data so as to carry out transactionfunctions. The computer in the services cloud then operates to cause oneor more messages to the teller workstation operating services cloudclient software to indicate to the human remote teller at the terminalthrough output devices connected to the terminal the nature of therequest, the account involved, that the identifying data required to beinput to the machine corresponds to an authorized account and users andif appropriate, the amount that the transaction processing host hasalready authorized as available to be dispensed from the machine.

In this example transaction, the remote teller operates theirworkstation to determine if the customer's account has a sufficientaccount balance to cover the entire cash withdrawal request. The tellerdoes this by operating the client application on their workstation tocommunicate with the computer that operates the bank's accounting systemand includes data which indicates the balance in the customer's account.After the teller operates their workstation to determine that thecustomer's account balance is sufficient to cover the requestedwithdrawal, the teller operates their workstation by providing inputsthrough input devices operatively connected to the workstation computerto indicate that the transaction should be permitted. The teller'sworkstation computer operates to cause messages to be sent from theworkstation through the services cloud so as to cause the machine todispense the requested amount. Messages from the workstation also causethe machine printer to operate in accordance with its programming toprint a receipt for the transaction. Messages are received through themachine which operates in accordance with its programming to cause therequested cash to be dispensed.

In this example arrangement the application operating on the computer ofthe teller station terminal also operates to cause one or more messagesto be sent through the computers included in the services cloud to thetransaction processing host. These messages sent to the transaction hostare operative to cause the original request for the $500 cash withdrawaltransaction to be cancelled or otherwise nullified. The teller alsooperates the application on their terminal in response to teller inputsthrough at least one input device to cause the customer's account to beassessed for the $800 withdrawal. This is done through communicationbetween a computer operating in the teller station terminal and the oneor more computers that operate to maintain the accounting records of thebank concerning customer accounts.

In alternative example arrangements the teller application that operateson the teller terminal may operate to cause the transaction responsefrom the host processing computer (which will cause the machine todispense $500) to cause a completed transaction at the machine. This iscarried out in the example embodiment by the computers included in theservices cloud causing messages to be sent to the machine that willcause the machine to dispense the $500. In this example arrangement theteller operates input devices of the teller station terminal to causethe machine to dispense the additional $300. In some examplearrangements the remote teller may operate their terminal to communicatewith the user at the machine so that the user is advised through thedisplay and/or an audio output device that the requested funds will beprovided to them through two separate dispenses from the machine.

Further in this example arrangement the host processing computeroperates to cause the user's account to be assessed $500 while theremote teller operates their teller terminal to cause the user's accountto be assessed for an additional $300. In this example arrangement theautomated banking machine operates to send one or more messages toindicate that each cash dispense was completed successfully. Themessages are routed and/or data sent through the operation of thecomputers in the services cloud to cause such messages to be sent to thehost computer and the teller terminal.

Further in this example arrangement the remote teller may also operatetheir station terminal computer providing inputs through associatedinput devices thereof to cause a receipt to be issued to the customer atthe automated banking machine. This is accomplished by the tellerstation terminal and/or the computers included in the services cloudoperating to generate messages which cause operation of a printerincluded in the automated banking machine. The computer in the automatedbanking machine operates to print a receipt for the transaction anddeliver it to the user. In some arrangements where the host authorized aportion of the total dispense and the teller authorized another portionthe machine may issue two receipts, one based on data from the host andanother based on data from the teller terminal. In other arrangementsthe receipt may be provided responsive only to the teller terminal. Ofcourse it should be understood that these approaches are this approachis an example and in other embodiments other approaches may be used.

In some this approach is an example arrangements the bank 200 whichoperates the system may operate computer software such as DieboldCampaign Office™. Campaign Office™ may be of the type described in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 12/844,377 filed Jul. 27, 2010, thedisclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.The Campaign Office™ software may operate to cause one or more computersof the services cloud or otherwise to receive customer identifying datasuch as the user's account number and determine particular promotionaloffers or other information that may be appropriate to present to thecustomer as a promotion. The Campaign Office™ software may operate tocause the computer included in the teller station or other computer ofthe system, to send one or more messages to the automated bankingmachine that causes the promotional messages to be output from outputdevices of the machine to the customer. Alternatively or in addition theCampaign Office™ software may provide an output prompt to the remoteteller who may operate their teller terminal to communicate with thecustomer at the automated banking machine to provide the customer withthe promotional messages through video and/or audio communication.

In this way the customer at the terminal may receive beneficialinformation of a type that they might receive from a local teller. Suchinformation might include, for example, that the customer may renew orpurchase a CD now at a promotional rate and/or receive a home equityloan at particular rates. In addition the personal audio and videocommunication provided directly with the remote teller may also give thecustomer the opportunity to ask any questions that they may have. Thusin this example arrangement the customer is enabled to carry out atransaction that would normally require visiting a branch bank and usingthe services of a local live teller to be carried out through operationof the automated banking machine.

In another example transaction a customer may desire to make a cashwithdrawal of a larger amount such as $1500 from the automated bankingmachine 760. Such a transaction may be carried out in a manner similarto that previously described in connection with the $800 cashwithdrawal. However, in some systems there may be a requirement thatwithdrawals of a greater size require that the customer present anadditional form of identification in order to receive the cashwithdrawal. This additional form of identification may include forexample a valid driver's license. Because in this example arrangementthe automated banking machine includes a driver's license scanner 57 orother imaging device as illustrated in FIG. 29, the transaction can becarried out through the example system.

In this example embodiment a request for the withdrawal of the amount of$1500 is received through the automated banking machine. The requestincludes the customer providing their card, PIN and/or other identifyingdata. The machine operates in accordance with its programming togenerate one or more messages which correspond to the request. Themessages generated by the machine are received through operation of theone or more computers included in the services cloud. The computers ofthe services cloud operate in accordance with their programming todetermine that the involvement of a remote teller at a terminal 22 willbe required and further that review of the customer's driver's licensewill be needed, in addition to the PIN and card validation which can becarried out through operation of the transaction processing host or insome arrangements through the teller terminal.

Responsive to the determination by the computer in the services cloudthat a driver's license scan will be required, the one or more computersin the services cloud cause messages to be sent to the automated bankingmachine 760. These messages cause the machine to output a prompt to thecustomer through one or more output devices to present their driver'slicense to be scanned through operation of the driver's license scanner.The computer associated with the automated banking machine operates inaccordance with its programming to generate images of the driver'slicense. In some embodiments this may include a scan of one or bothsides of the license. It may also include reading or detecting otherfeatures on the license including magnetic stripe data, holograms, barcodes or other data which is usable to verify the authenticity of thelicense and/or to identify the user. The approach that is used willdepend on the particular system and the requirements associated withcarrying out the transaction.

In the example embodiment the license images of the front and back ofthe license and/or other data are sent through operation of theautomated banking machine to at least one computer of the services cloud113. The computer of the services cloud then operates in accordance withits programming to operate one or more applications to determine if thedriver's license is valid. This may include, for example, evaluatingauthenticity features of the license to determine if it is genuine.Alternatively or in addition, the at least one computer may operate tocause messages to be sent to an external system that include dataresolved by the computer from the images of a driver's license. Thisdata resolved from the images through operation of the computer can becompared to data associated with the issued driver's licenses stored inone or more data stores to determine if the data that is readcorresponds to an authorized valid driver's license and also to theparticular customer that appears to be present at the machine. Theremote system may provide one or more messages indicating whether thedata corresponds to an authorized driver's license user.

Alternatively or in addition in other embodiments one or more computersof the services cloud may operate in accordance with their programmingto operate facial recognition software. Such facial recognition softwaremay analyze image data included on the driver's license particularly thepicture of the user included thereon to determine if it corresponds todata stored in a data store that corresponds to the particular customer.Alternatively image analysis may be conducted through operation of oneor more computers to check whether seals, holograms or other visibleindicia in an image of a driver's license corresponds to a genuinefeature.

Alternatively or in addition a camera connected to one or more computersof the automated banking machine may capture images of the customer atthe machine. These images may include the customer's facial features.Such facial features may be compared to data derived from imagesincluded on the driver's license to determine if the image data on thedriver's license corresponds to the face of the user at the machine.Alternatively or in addition the image data from the camera may becompared to data stored in one or more data stores to determine if itcorresponds to the indicated customer at the automated banking machine.Of course it should be understood that such comparisons will generallynot be able to indicate a 100% verification and the resolved level ofcorrespondence will generally be indicated as a probability, level ofconfidence or other similar number indicative of a level ofcorrespondence. The computer of the services cloud system may operate inaccordance with its programming to compare the level of correspondenceto a threshold and to provide one or more indications as to whether thelevel of correspondence is at or above the threshold which is deemedsufficient to identify the particular user.

In this example transaction the one or more computers of the servicescloud may also operate in accordance with their programming to causeidentifying data such as account number data, PIN data or other useridentifying information that is input to the machine to be included inmessages to the transaction authorization host. The messages to thetransaction authorization host generated through operation of a computerin the services cloud may include a request for a cash withdrawal thatis within the authorization limits of the host as previously discussed.The transaction authorization host may operate in accordance with itsprogramming to return one or more messages to the computer in theservices cloud to indicate whether the data input at the machinecorresponds to an authorized user and also whether the transaction wouldbe authorized for the amount included in the request messages to thehost that is generated through operation of the services cloud.

In the example embodiment one or more computers of the services cloud isoperative to make available at the remote teller workstation 22information regarding the cash withdrawal transaction request. This willinclude, for example, the amount of the request, the account involved,the driver's license images and the results of facial recognition orother tests that are carried out through operation of the one or morecomputers. In addition the teller workstation will also receive anindication that the identifying user data such as card and PIN data wasdetermined to be authorized through operation of the transaction host.If the transaction data corresponds to an authorized user, the remoteteller may operate their transaction terminal to determine if thecustomer's account includes the requested amount of funds. If thecustomer's account includes the requested amount of funds, the tellermay operate their terminal by providing inputs through associated inputdevices in a manner previously discussed to cause the automated bankingmachine to dispense the cash requested. In some arrangements this mayinclude authorizing a dispense of an amount in excess of an automaticauthorization by a transaction host and in other arrangements the humaninputs to the teller terminal may cause the entire cash dispense. Theteller may also operate their terminal to cause the account to beassessed the amount of the transaction (or in some cases an assessmentbeyond that automatically accessed via operation of the host). Theteller may also operate their terminal to cause a receipt to be issuedfrom the terminal to the customer. Of course as can be appreciated, theteller (alternatively referred to herein as a service provider) may alsooperate their terminal to provide video and/or audio communication withthe customer at the machine to facilitate carrying out the transactionand/or to provide promotional information or answer questions that thecustomer may have. Of course these approaches are examples

Alternatively in some arrangements if the facial recognition softwareproduced a level of correspondence between either stored data and/orcaptured data and the driver's license image is below the thresholdconsidered to be acceptable, the remote teller may operate theirterminal to take additional steps. Such steps may include capturingadditional images of the user for purposes of comparing the capturedimage data to the driver's license image or other data. Alternatively orin addition, the remote teller may establish video and/or audiocommunication with the user through output and input devices at themachine and the teller terminal to attempt to determine whether the useris the customer that corresponds to the account data that has beeninput. This may be done for example by making inquiries of the customerthe answers to which only the authorized customer would be expected tobe able to accurately answer. The teller may receive the answers andmake a determination whether the transaction requested should beauthorized. Alternatively or in addition the teller may operate theirteller terminal to have the computer therein or other computers makerecords of the transaction such as a recorded video and audio of thecommunications with the customer, and image or electronic records ofother data so as to document the transaction. Of course it should beunderstood that these approaches are this approach is an example and inother embodiments other approaches may be used.

In this approach is an example arrangements the automated bankingmachine, computers included in the services cloud, the remote tellerworkstation computer and other computers may communicate throughappropriate networks. These networks may include public and/or privatenetworks which have the appropriate bandwidth for providing the messagesthat are communicated between the different computers. Further in somearrangements communications may be via wireless networks. In otherarrangements communications may be via open public networks such as theInternet. Messages may be transmitted among and between differentnetworks so as to provide the necessary data communication as well ascommunications of video and audio data as required for operation of thesystem. As can be appreciated in other example arrangements the servicescloud may include computers that are programmed to evaluate thedifferent communications that are received from automated bankingmachines in connection therewith. The computers in the example servicescloud operate in accordance with their programming to determine thenature of the transaction or condition that is occurring at the machineand generate messages to the machine that cause the machine to respondappropriately or to route the data based thereon to the appropriatecomputer that can handle the requested transaction or condition. Forexample certain transaction types that are requested at the automatedbanking machine can be identified and communications routed to one ormore appropriate computers that can automatically respond to fulfill thetransaction.

Other transactions may be identified as those requiring the involvementof a human service provider, and result in communication sessionsbetween machine users and appropriate teller workstations of serviceproviders that can deal with the type of transaction involved. As can beappreciated the data may indicate that some transaction types may behandled by service providers who are capable of dealing with a widevariety of financial transactions while other transaction types will berouted to persons who are specialists. The services cloud may operate toroute the messages to the workstations of service providers based onstored data which indicates the authority or capabilities of theworkstation and/or the person currently signed on as the operatorthereof.

In addition in some example embodiments one or more computers of theservices cloud may operate in accordance with its programming to routethe transaction messages to different remote teller terminals dependingon other factors such as the time of day. Thus if a consumer isconducting a transaction at an automated banking machine during normalbusiness hours in the area where the machine is located, the servicescloud may operate to route messages from the machine to and from serviceprovider terminals operated by remote tellers at a facility located inthe same or in an adjacent time zone. Alternatively if the consumer isrequesting a transaction outside of normal business hours the servicescloud will operate in accordance with the associated programming tocause messages from the automated banking machine to be routed to tellerterminals located at a facility in another location where remote tellersare currently working and available. Thus the example arrangements havethe capabilities for assuring that if a session with a teller isrequired, computers of the services cloud can provide the connection toan appropriate service provider during those times that the operator ofthe system wishes to provide the human teller assistance.

It should be understood that in other arrangements, the services cloudmay provide for the generation and sending of messages to remote tellerworkstations that may be located at dispersed locations, such as in anindividual's residence. Thus in some arrangements the services clientsoftware may be operated on a service provider PC terminal located attheir residence so that service providers may work from the comfort andconvenience of their homes. The computers of the services cloud mayoperate to have a plurality of remote tellers available on standby towhich associated terminals messages and communications from automatedbanking machines can be routed. The services cloud may operate to checkthe status of the different service provider workstations to determinewhich ones are currently available to receive a transaction and to routethe necessary data thereto. Further the example computers of theservices cloud may operate in accordance with their programming todistribute the customer sessions among the plurality of remote tellerswho are currently available to handle such calls. This will avoid anyone particular teller from being required to handle a significantlylarger number of customer transactions than other tellers. Further thecomputers in the services cloud may operate in accordance with theirprogramming to route customer calls to other available remote tellerstations if the current available group of teller stations are alloccupied.

This may be, for example, routing the consumer session that cannot beimmediately handled because all of the remote tellers are busy, to aremote call center in another region or to another group of availablestandby service providers. Alternatively or in addition, computers ofthe services cloud may operate in accordance with their programming toplace a consumer session on “hold” in a queue for a next availableservice provider when all of the service providers are busy. In thesecircumstances computers of the services cloud may operate to sendappropriate messages to the customer at the automated banking machine toindicate to them that there will be a brief wait for a servicesprovider. The computers may also operate in accordance with theirprogramming to indicate to the customer at the automated banking machinethe expected wait time that they will incur until they will be incontact with the human service provider. Of course these approaches arethis approach is an example and in other arrangements different oradditional features may be used. In other example arrangements anautomated banking machine 760 may include the capability to allow aremote service provider at a terminal 22 to be able to cause theoperation of devices 46 in the machine in the event that there is amachine malfunction and the device cannot be operated in the normalmanner. For example a remote teller may have the capability to determinethe identity of a user at the machine in situations where the cardreader and/or encrypting PIN pad (EPP) 32 are not operative.

For example in some this approach is an example arrangements, the remoteteller may gather identifying information from a customer through videoand audio communication with the customer of the machine or by operatingdevices that are included on the machine. For example if a card reader92 is broken the remote teller may communicate with the machine viaaudio output and input devices or via an output from the machine displayand advise the customer to place their card adjacent to a camera such ascamera 70 that is on or adjacent to the machine. Camera 70 may providevideo communication and/or be operative to capture images of the card.In this situation the remote teller may view the card through thedisplay of their teller terminal including the account number and username thereon. In addition in some situations the remote service providermay request through video and audio communication with the customer atthe machine that the customer display the rear of the card to thecamera. This enables the remote teller to check the written name of theperson on the back of the card and to also view and check theverification code that is included on the rear of the card. In additionin this arrangement the remote teller may also observe identifyingfeatures that are included on the card such as holograms or clearplastic windows that are included on some cards in order to make thecards more difficult to counterfeit.

In some example arrangements the remote service provider may operatetheir teller terminal to provide input data corresponding to the card.For example in the case of a card reader malfunction at the automatedbanking machine the remote teller could point their terminal to provideinputs that are received by the automated banking machine thatcorrespond to the card number. This might be done using remote controlsoftware such as PC Anywhere™ or other types of software that enable theremote control of a computer from another authorized computer. By havingthe remote service provider input the card data that would otherwise beread by the card reader 92, the automated banking machine may thenoperate in accordance with its programming to handle the transaction inaccordance with the usual manner. For example once the card data hasbeen entered into the machine, the programming of the automated bankingmachine may then prompt a user to provide their PIN through inputsthrough the EPP 32 on the machine. The automated banking machine thenoperates in the normal manner in accordance with its programming toconduct the requested transaction.

Alternatively in situations where the machine includes a driver'slicense reader 57, the remote teller may have the capability to operatetheir terminal to cause operation of the machine to operate the driver'slicense reader. The remote teller may instruct the user to place theirbank card into the driver's license reader which may capture the datafrom the front face of the card, or if the driver's license reader has astripe reader, the magnetic stripe thereof. The remote teller may thencause the captured data to be transmitted to the appropriate softwareprocess operating within the automated banking machine associatedcomputer to enable the transaction to move forward in a mannercomparable to that that would be accomplished if the card data had beenread through the reader that is normally used for reading card data frombank cards.

Alternatively or in addition, the remote teller may receive identifyingdata such as from a driver's license, and operate their teller terminalto determine account number data or other data from a data store such asmay be associated with the financial institution's account data. Theremote teller may then operate to cause the needed account data to besent to the machine for purposes of carrying out the transaction in thenormal manner. Of course these approaches are this approach is anexample and in other arrangements, other approaches may be used.

In an alternative arrangement, the keypad on the machine, such as EPP 32may experience a malfunction. An EPP malfunction may present additionalchallenges due to requirements that the user's PIN is generally requiredto be maintained in secrecy. In this scenario if the automated bankingmachine is of a type that has an associated handset, the machine mayoperate in accordance with its programming to indicate to users that ifthey wish to conduct a transaction they need to request a teller sessionwith a remote video teller. In this arrangement in the audio/videocommunication that is initiated with the teller informs the customer atthe machine of the need to provide their PIN data audibly via thehandset on the machine. The audio connection may be sent via encryptedaudio signals to reduce the risk of interception. In this arrangementthe remote teller may then receive the user's PIN data confidentiallythrough the handset. The remote teller can then provide inputs throughthe teller terminal that correspond to the user's PIN. The teller maythen provide inputs to the teller station computer and cause datacorresponding to the PIN data to be included in an appropriatetransaction message.

For example in some arrangements the PIN data may be encrypted throughoperation of the teller terminal and/or the computers included in theservices cloud and sent to the automated banking machine. The machinethen may operate to include this data in the appropriate messages whichare built by the computer associated with the automated banking machineand then sent to a transaction host to allow the transaction to becarried out in a normal manner therethrough. Alternatively in somearrangements the teller terminal may operate to receive the accountnumber data, card number data and/or transaction type and amountinformation from the consumer via the handset. In this arrangement theteller terminal may operate to send the data provided by the customer inappropriate transaction messages that are sent to a transactionauthorizing host. Computers in the services cloud may then operate tocause the response messages (or data corresponding thereto) from thetransaction authorizing host to be sent to the automated banking machineso as to enable the machine to carry out the dispensing of cash or otherappropriate transaction functions automatically in response thereto.

In another alternative arrangement, in the event that an EPP of theautomated banking machine is broken the machine may operate inaccordance with its programming to instruct the user to input PIN dataor other information through a secure touch screen display module. Sucha secure touch screen display module may operate to cause touch inputsthereto to be encrypted in a manner like that shown in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/421,107 filed Mar. 15, 2012 the disclosure ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In automatedbanking machines that include both an EPP and a secure touch screendisplay module, the teller terminal application operated by the remoteteller may modify the operation of the automated banking machine throughmessages sent from the teller terminal. Such modification may includechanging the programming of the computer associated with the automatedbanking machine so that the user is prompted to provide their PINthrough the touch screen display module. The change in programming maythen operate to cause the PIN data to be included in transactionmessages that are sent to the transaction authorizing host in the mannerthan would normally be done if the EPP were operational. Upon repair ofthe EPP the remote service provider or other entity with the capabilityof accessing the system may then communicate with the automated bankingmachine to cause it to return to its operation so that it receives PINdata in the normal manner. Of course it should be understood thatsimilar approaches may be applied to other types of devices that areincluded in an automated banking machine. For example other types ofinput devices and output devices may become non-functional but theterminal may still be utilized to accomplish transactions through theefforts of the remote service provider. This may include providingcommunications with users of the machine to provide alternative ways toexchange information and/or to change the operating characteristics ofthe machine on a temporary basis so that the customer's requestedtransactions can be accomplished. Of course it should be understood thatthese approaches are this approach is an example and in otherembodiments other approaches may be used.

In other example embodiments one or more computers associated with theautomated banking machine 760 may be operated to carry out a digitalvideo recorder function. In this example arrangement the programming ofat least one computer may be operated to store data corresponding tovideo and audio that is sent to and/or from the machine. Alternativelyin other arrangements such data may be transmitted from the machine to acomputer associated with computer associated with remote data store 110.Further in other arrangements the function of providing the digitalvideo recorder may be accomplished by a remote computer in operativeconnection with the audio input devices and camera at the machine (andin some cases the devices of the remote teller terminal), or thecomputers of the services cloud. This may be accomplished in a mannersuch as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,984,847 the disclosure ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. As a resultin this approach is an example systems video and/or audio datacorresponding to teller assisted transactions or all transactions may berecorded and maintained through operation of the system.

In example embodiments a remote service provider may utilize theirteller terminal to communicate with the automated banking machine andidentify any device malfunctions which have occurred. This may be done,for example, through remote communication software or othercommunication software which can communicate with the machine and obtainstatus data stored therein or derived therefrom that indicates thatthere is a malfunctioning device. Alternatively one or more of thecomputers included in the services cloud may operate in accordance withtheir programming to periodically verify the proper operation of devicesin automated banking machines and identify instances where devices orother capabilities are not operational. In response to determining amalfunctioning device or inoperative banking machine function, theservice provider may through inputs through their teller terminal, orone or more computers in the services cloud, may cause a change in themachine programming and/or the handling of messages from the automatedbanking machine so that the transaction functions may still be carriedout at the machine even though the machine has experienced amalfunction.

For example in some arrangements machines may include a check scanner 33such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,931,193; 8,052,045; and/or8,052,046, the disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein byreference in their entirety. In the example arrangement check analysisdevice 33 alternatively referred to herein as a check acceptor, (or acombined check and cash analysis device) may operate to capture imagesof the check or sheet, determine MICR data (or other magnetic data) onthe check or sheet and resolve other values that may be included on thecheck or sheet. The automated banking machine may also operate inaccordance with its programming to store images of checks or sheets thathave been received in transactions at the machine. Such images may alsobe sent by the machine along with other data regarding the transactionin which the check or sheet was received through a remote computerassociated with a check or other processing system. This remote computermay operate to cause a check to be processed for payment as an image andsent for presentment to the financial institution on which it is drawnso that the check can be paid, or if the check is invalid to provide anindication that the check will not be paid.

In some this approach is an example arrangements automated bankingmachines may be operated by the users whose accounts are identifiedthrough their card data or other appropriate identifying data, todeposit and/or cash checks. In such arrangements the computer in theautomated banking machine may operate to accept the check from a userand capture images of the front and back of the check. The computer ofthe automated banking machine may operate to resolve data from thecaptured images such as the MICR line data, the courtesy amount writtenon the check, the legal amount on the check and/or other data thatindicates the amount of the check, the account and institution on whichit is drawn and/or other data. The automated banking machine may operateto resolve this data and to credit the user's account or otherwiseconduct a transaction related to the check based on being able toresolve such data during normal operation of the machine. When such datahas been resolved, the automated banking machine communicates with thetransaction processing host and/or a check processing computer so as toprocess the received check from the identified customer. In situationswhere data is required for the transaction that cannot be resolved fromthe check, the automated banking machine may operate in accordance withits programming to decline the check processing transaction and returnthe check to the user.

In example arrangements one or more computers in the services cloud mayoperate to monitor automated banking machines for transactions involvingthe receipt of checks where the transaction would be declined due to theinability of the machine to accurately read indicia with a suitablelevel of confidence or adequately resolve or validate one or more itemsof data from the check. This may be done, for example, by a computer inthe services cloud receiving a notification message from an automatedbanking machine of such a transaction. Alternatively such a transactioncondition may be determined through operation of a computer in theservices cloud by passing the transaction messages between the automatedbanking machine and a transaction processing host or other computer thatis involved in approving or denying the transaction at the machine.

In response to a computer in the services cloud receiving an indicationthat a check processing transaction cannot be carried out for a user,the computer may operate to cause one or more messages to be sent to aremote teller terminal. Messages to the teller terminal may operate toinform the service provider of the condition and the reason that suchtransaction would otherwise be denied. In response to receipt of thesemessages, the remote service provider may operate their terminal 22 toaccess the computer in the automated banking machine 760. The remoteservice provider may also engage in video and/or audio communicationwith the customer at the machine. The remote service provider mayoperate their service provider terminal to review on a display the checkimages that have been captured by the machine and make a human judgmentconcerning data included on the check that could not be resolvedautomatically through image analysis operation of the machine. Thismight include, for example, resolving visually the amount data, MICRline data or other data on the check. In response to a determination bythe remote teller of the data that the machine could not resolve, theremote teller may input the data through an input device of the tellerterminal. The teller terminal may operate in accordance with itsprogramming to send the data to the automated banking machine so as toallow the transaction to be completed automatically. Alternatively insome arrangements the remote teller may operate the automated bankingmachine through their teller terminal and/or provide for communicationswith other computers in the system so as to complete the transaction forthe customer at the machine.

In other situations audio/video communication may be held between theremote teller and the customer. For example in circumstances where thecheck document has been returned to the customer and the captured imageis not of sufficient quality for the remote teller to conduct ananalysis thereof, the teller may instruct the customer to re-input thecheck to the check acceptor so that a scanner 33 may capture at leastone other image of the check. This might be done for example if theoriginal image was not legible, skewed or otherwise unacceptable due tomachine malfunction. In these circumstances the teller may operate theterminal to cause the machine to capture another image of the checkwhich the teller can then review and evaluate for purposes of completingthe transaction. Of course it should be understood that this approachmay also be used with bills and other types of sheets.

In still other alternative arrangements audio communication between theremote teller and the customer may be used to instruct the customer tohold the check within the field of view of a camera 70 associated withthe machine 760 so that the service provider can visibly readinformation from the check through a display at their teller terminal.If the remote service provider can read the check data, they may inputthe data through input devices at the remote terminal for purposes ofconducting the transaction. The remote teller may then instruct thecustomer to input the check again into the check acceptor of the machineand the remote teller may operate the machine to move the check into themachine and store it therein. The remote teller may then operate theirteller terminal so as to cause the check processing transaction tocomplete. This may include, for example, communicating with thetransaction processing host, the bank's back office computer accountingsystem or other required computers so as to process the check and causean image thereof to be sent for presentment to the bank on which thecheck is drawn. In still other example transaction situations, theautomated banking machine may accept checks from users who may not havecard based financial accounts and/or whose accounts are associated witha different institution than the one that operates the automated bankingmachine. In such situations the processing of a check or check cashingor other type transactions may require that payee data written on thecheck be compared to a driver's license or other identifying dataassociated with the user. This may be done in a manner like thatdiscussed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/428,007 filed Mar. 23,2012, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety. In such arrangements the automated banking machine may operatein accordance with its programming to analyze the image portioncorresponding to the payee name which is included on the check, throughcharacter recognition software that operates in one or more computers.The resolved payee name from the check may then be compared to data thatis resolved from a scanned image read by a driver's license reader orsimilar device included in the machine. Alternatively the driver'slicense reader may operate to read magnetic stripe encoded data and/orbar code encoded data that corresponds to the user name on the license.The machine may then operate to compare data captured through operationof the driver's license reader and the payee name on the check todetermine if they correspond. In response to such correspondence, theautomated banking machine may operate in accordance with itsprogramming, and in response to other factors to accept the check and toeither dispense cash or otherwise grant the customer a form of value forthe check. Such a form of value may include in some embodimentsoperating to store value in an account associated with a reloadablestored value card, issuing money orders, placing value in a mobilewallet account associated with a smart phone or other form of value.

In this approach is an example arrangements if the payee name isresolved from the check and driver's license data cannot be resolvedwith a suitable level of confidence as corresponding to the same personthrough operation of the computer associated with the automated bankingmachine, one or more remote computers such as a computer the servicescloud may be notified of the condition. Alternatively one or more remotecomputers may resolve that such a condition has arisen at the machinethrough the analysis of messages which are controlled and routed throughthe services cloud. In response to notification that this condition hasarisen, the one or more computers may cause messages to be sent to aremote teller station notifying the remote teller of the condition. Theremote teller may operate their terminal in response to thenotifications to cause video and audio communication to be held with thecustomer at the machine. The remote teller may then review the availabledata from the check, the driver's license reader or data that canotherwise be obtained from the customer at the machine to determine ifthe driver's license data and payee data correspond or there is asuitable reason to allow the transaction to proceed. If so, the remoteteller may provide inputs through their teller terminal that operate tocause the check accepting transaction to be completed.

Alternatively or in addition in circumstances where there is a questionconcerning the payee data and the identity of the customer, the remoteteller may also conduct video and audio communication to gather from thecustomer information that corresponds to other forms of identification.Such other forms of identification may include other forms ofidentification cards, biometric data or other data associated with auser or a device associated with the user that can be used to identifythe particular customer. Such other forms of identification could beviewed by the remote teller through operation of the camera 70.Alternatively cards or other items could be read through operation ofthe driver's license reader 57, the check acceptor 33 or the card readerof the machine. In response to reviewing the data associated with theadditional forms of identification the remote teller may operate theirterminal to either allow the transaction or to deny it.

In some this approach is an example arrangements the remote serviceprovider may become involved in a transaction that is being denied, onlyif the involvement requested by the customer. For example theprogramming associated with the computer of the automated bankingmachine may operate to indicate to a customer that a requestedtransaction has been denied. However, the machine may also provide anoutput that indicates to a customer that if they wish to attempt atransaction with the help of a teller, they can provide one or moreinputs through input devices of the machine which causes the machine tooperate to make contact with the remote teller so that the remote tellercan assist in trying to complete the transaction. Of course theseapproaches are this approach is an example and in other arrangementsother approaches may be used.

In other example arrangements systems operated in connection withautomated banking machines may operate to enable service providerinvolvement to suspend or stop transactions that are otherwise occurringautomatically at the machine. For example this may be done in caseswhere programming associated with a computer in the automated bankingmachine, a computer associated with a services cloud, or otherwiseconnected in the system, identifies one or more factors that indicatethat a transaction is suspect or otherwise should be subject to review.This might occur, for example, if data associated with a check issuitable for validation but is very close to a threshold which suggeststhat data may not have been read accurately.

Alternatively, properties associated with the check may suggest that thecheck might be somehow fraudulent. This might include, for example, datafrom thickness sensors, ultrasonic sensors, magnetic sensors or othersensors that are used in analyzing the check which indicate that thecheck may be suspect in some respect compared to normal checks.Alternatively or in addition this might be done where amounts involvedin the transaction are at or above a particular level or which in someway are beyond certain parameters that have been established where noremote teller oversight is required. Such transaction circumstances maybe based on a single parameter or a combination of multiple parametersthat are associated with the transaction.

In some example embodiments, even though the automated banking machine760 would normally proceed to operate to complete the transaction, theautomated banking machine computer, a computer in the services cloud, oranother computer associated with the system may operate to cause thetransaction to be identified as one that requires remote teller review.In such circumstances the automated banking machine may be operated tosuspend one or more transaction steps prior to the completion of thetransaction until the remote teller is notified and reviews theconditions that make the transaction suspect through the remote terminal22. In response to such conditions the remote teller may through inputsthrough their teller terminal evaluate the parameters and either providean input authorizing completion or may provide inputs so as to deny thetransaction. Alternatively or in addition the remote service providermay suspend the transaction and have the customer wait while additionaldata or information is checked from other systems. This may include, forexample, checking data in archive systems to determine if the check datacorresponds to a check already processed through other channels and/orwhether the driver's license or other identifying data being input by auser is reported stolen or otherwise improper. In response to thedeterminations or information available to the remote teller, the remoteteller may make a decision on whether to allow the transaction tocomplete or provide inputs to their terminal that deny the transaction.This ability of a remote teller to override automated determinationsmade by the machine 760 or other connected computers may enable a remoteservice provider to stop transactions based on factors that may only bediscerned from data that may be available to the remote teller. Forexample the remote teller may be reviewing the check image and believethat it has been modified or produced as a composite of other images.Likewise the remote service provider may review the data from a driver'slicense, and based on a visual appearance or other factors may suspectthat it is a forgery. In other circumstances the remote service providermay review this data from the machine and based on factors that themachine is unable to automatically evaluate, be suspicious that there isillegal or nefarious activity going on. In such circumstances the remoteservice provider may stop the transaction from being automaticallycompleted at the machine. In response to the remote service providerstopping the transaction, the remote service provider may provideinformation to the customer at the machine about how to proceed torequest the transaction elsewhere such as with a live teller in a branchbank. Alternatively or in addition the remote teller may operate theirteller terminal to cause messages to be sent to the machine to takeappropriate steps such as to return a check or other document to thecustomer, or otherwise send messages to other computers so as to reverseany transactions that may have been automatically set up throughoperation of the system. Of course these approaches are this approach isan example and in other embodiments, other approaches may be used.

In some arrangements the computer associated with the automated bankingmachine may record video and audio as well as other data associated withtransactions conducted at the machine for later review. Alternatively aremote computer 20 operated through the service provider terminal 22 orone or more computers associated with the services cloud may operate tostore in associated relation, video, audio, images, transaction and/orother data associated with transactions. In cases where automatedbanking machines are operated to provide check cashing capabilities,particularly check cashing transactions for customers who do not haveaccounts with the institution operating the machine, it may bepreferable to record video, audio and other relevant transaction data incase there is later an allegation of fraud. Likewise in somearrangements where automated banking machines are set up to accept cash,it may be advisable to record transaction details and other informationabout the cash received for later recovery in the event it is laterdetermined that the cash is counterfeit. This might be done, forexample, in automated banking machines that dispense money orders and/orthat provide the capability of electronically transferring money tostored value card or electronic wallet type applications, or to remoteterminals or remote systems so as to provide payment to otherindividuals.

In some example embodiments one or more computers associated with theautomated banking machine may include programming that establishes rulesfor the recording of data and audio and/or video associated withtransactions and the data or other items that are to be recorded. Forexample in some arrangements computers may be set up to cause therecording of data associated with all transactions. In otherarrangements only certain types of transactions such as check cashing,cash accepting or other transactions may have data recorded. In stillother arrangements, transactions involving transfers that involve thirdparties may also be subject to having selected data recorded.

For example in situations where automated banking machines are operatedto cash checks for customers who do not have accounts with theinstitution that operates the machine, it may be important to record andretain certain video, audio and other data related to each transaction.

This may be necessary so that if a dispute arises regarding whether ornot the person cashing the check was an imposter or the like, all thedata that was involved in determining whether to carry out thetransaction will be available. This may include, for example, video andaudio communications, driver's license information, identifyinginformation, check image data or other data associated with thetransaction and the decision to allow the check to be processed, can bestored and recovered in the event of a problem. In addition given that asignificant number of such transactions have data that needs to berecorded and stored, one or more computers associated with the servicescloud may operate in accordance with their programming to assure thatthe data is stored. For example in some arrangements data may originallybe captured and stored in one or more computers that are associated withor within the automated banking machine. These computers may operate toperiodically cause the data to be moved through communication via anetwork into an archive that is produced and stored in connection withanother computer which stores the data on a longer term basis. Such datamay be held for a sufficient period so that the data is available in theevent that any challenge or issue is later raised concerning thetransaction. Further in this approach is an example arrangements, thecomputers may operate in accordance with their programming to causecertain data to be deleted after a period of time has passed when nochallenge could reasonably thereafter be expected to the particulartransaction. Of course these approaches are this approach is an exampleand in other embodiments other approaches may be used.

In still other arrangements the capabilities of the automated bankingmachine 760 to enable remote video and audio communication may be usedto provide communications with remote technicians to facilitateservicing the automated banking machine. For example in the event of amachine malfunction the communication capability available at themachine may enable communication with a remote server 90. Such a remoteserver may provide information regarding diagnostics which can be usedto identify and correct the problem. Alternatively or in addition if aservicer who may not be affiliated with the machine manufacturer isseeking to conduct repairs, the servicer may obtain diagnostics andother information on how to correct any problems with the machine inexchange for payment of a fee. This may be done in a manner like thatdiscussed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/722,064 filed Nov. 25,2003 and Ser. No. 13/405,667 filed Feb. 27, 2012, the disclosures ofeach of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Further in some example environments, video and audio communication withthe machine may be operatively carried out via computers of the servicescloud or other network connections with a remote help desk or otherremote servicing function. The individuals at the remote help desk orother individuals who can communicate to the individual at the machinemay provide advice on servicing the machine and may provide instructionson service activities that can be conducted to correct malfunctions. Forexample for certain routine types of service, video and audiocommunication with a help desk may enable an unskilled clerical personor other individual who does not normally perform service activities todo so and return the machine to an operative condition. The capabilityof video and audio communication may include not only providing verbalinstructions but also being able to stream videos, information fromservice manual data, images or other information that shows a personlocated at the machine exactly what to do in order to correct theparticular problem that is detected with the automated banking machine.

Further in this approach is an example arrangements the remote servicersat the help desk or otherwise may have access to the machine throughremote control software which enables them to determine the statuses ofdevices in the machine and to analyze status data to resolve whatproblems may exist. Such remote operational capability may also allowindividuals at the help desk to operate devices and otherwise test theoperational capabilities of the machine before the machine is placedback into service. Of course it should be understood that thesecapabilities may be beneficial not only in assisting individuals who maynot be familiar with the servicing of automated banking machines, butalso may be utilized by remote servicers who are employed for thepurpose of servicing such machines. The capability to have automatedbanking machines remotely analyzed for malfunctions or other conditionsthat may exist particularly at times when a condition is detected butbefore a servicer can be on site, may facilitate enabling a servicer tomore rapidly place a machine back into service. Further the capabilityto obtain instructions and information on how to repair the machine onan immediate basis can mean that the servicer need not carry a computeror other device that includes all the necessary manuals, diagnostictools or other items that would otherwise need to be carried by such aservicer in order to repair such machines. Of course it should beunderstood that such approaches are this approach is an example and inother arrangements other approaches and capabilities may be used.

In other example embodiments the automated banking machine 760 may allowthe customer to operate the machine to print money orders and cashier'schecks. For example, a customer who does not have an account with thebank may want to conduct various transactions with the machine. Thecustomer could then elect to do a transaction where the machine mayprovide value in exchange for cashing a check. The value may be in theform of several money orders or several cashier's checks at certainpredetermined amounts whereby the balance may be received in cash.

In an example embodiment, if the customer wanted money orders thatexceeded the value of the check that they have presented, an alternativemay be to allow the customer to provide additional value through thecash acceptor 35 on the automated banking machine 760 to make up for thedifference in value. For example, the customer may indicate to themachine 760 that he would like $200 in money orders or cashier's checks.The machine 760 may produce money orders or cashier's checks in anyappropriate amounts or quantities. The bank, however, may have a policythat the machine 760 may only print money orders or cashier's checks incertain predetermined amounts, such as $20 and $50 amounts. The customerwants to cash his check in exchange for $200 in money orders, howeverthe customer's check is only for $190. Therefore, the customer will needto provide the difference in amount to the machine 760 before themachine will produce the requested money orders. The machine 760indicates to the customer that he needs to provide the additional $10needed. The customer provides the $10 in cash by inserting the moneyinto the cash acceptor 35 located at the machine 760. Once received andprocessed that the correct amount was deposited, the machine 760 thenprints out the $200 in money orders in the desired quantities ofpredetermined amounts. For example, the customer may elect to receivethe $200 in four $50 money orders. Of course it should be understoodthat these approaches are this approach is an example, and in otherembodiments other approaches may be used.

Similarly, the customer may request and receive a cashier's check in thesame manner at the machine 760. The capability for the automated bankingmachine to issue a check to a particular person is discussed in U.S.Pat. No. 8,186,576 issued on May 29, 2012, the disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIG. 17 shows a side view of a shared station 250 having a configurationthat includes dual touch screens and a stand 252. A service providertouch screen 254 is on one side of the configuration and the customertouch screen 256 is on another side (e.g., opposite side or an adjacentside). The screens can have the same dimensional size. The arrangementallows for the customer and the service provider to be situated at thesame table 258. The relative closeness allows direct visual and audibleconversation between the parties. Alternatively, the shared station 250can be built into a (dividing) wall, with the different screens 254, 256located in different rooms.

In another embodiment, a shared station may have only one display touchscreen. For example, the display screen may be a display surface of asurface computer arrangement. The service provider can provide touchscreen input that causes the screen output to be rotated 180 degrees.This feature allows a document to be flipped back and forth for readingbetween the service provider and the customer.

FIG. 18 a top view of customer stations 262, 264 that are separated yetlocally positioned with a common service provider station 260. The touchscreens 262, 264 are located in the same building facility (e.g., abank) 266. The customer stations are provided with a privacy screen 268.The service provider touch screen 260 is in operative connection withthe customer touch screens 262, 264. The service provider station is ina room 270 which is secure from bank customers. The security roomprovides physical safety to the human service provider (e.g., theassisting bank employee). The arrangement allows the bank employee tosimultaneously provide assistance to (and safely communicate with) aplurality of local bank customers. Bank customers can also walk up tobank teller windows 272, 274, 276 to receive assistance from tellerslocated in a teller area 278.

FIG. 19 shows a plurality of customer stations 282, 284, 286, 288remotely located from a service provider station 280. The serviceprovider touch screen is in operative connection with each of thecustomer touch screens. The arrangement allows for the same serviceprovider touch screen 280 to respectively remotely communicate with eachof the customer touch screens 282, 284, 286, 288. The customer stationsare geographically remotely located from each other. The serviceprovider may be physically located in a foreign country relative to thecustomers.

The service assistance provided can use several different communicationformats, including wireless 290, Internet 292, and/or satellite 294communication. As previously discussed, a customer touch screen can bepart of a personal portable computing device 288, such as a smart phoneowned by a customer. Alternatively, a customer touch screen can be parta device not owned by the customer. For example, an automated bankingmachine 282 can include the customer touch screen. Thus, the embodimentallows both a phone owner and an automated banking machine customer toreceive similar on-screen assistance from a same remote serviceprovider.

FIG. 20 illustrates a top view of a banking area 750. The banking area750 may be located in a banking facility 200 as discussed herein andillustrated in FIG. 2. The banking area 750 may include a teller area752 with teller windows 754. The banking area 750 may also include anenclosure 756. In some example embodiments, a terminal 760 may belocated within the vestibule, housing or enclosure 756. The terminalsmay be operatively connected to the network 102. The terminals mayinclude computers with associated input and output devices or otherdevices that are operative to run software programs locally and may beconnected to data storage devices 110. The example terminal may comprisea thin client software architecture in operative connection with aserver running applications requested by the terminal. Alternatively theterminal may comprise a computer operative to run some applicationslocally therein while accessing other applications that are run remotelyon another computer such as a server 90. In some example embodimentsterminals comprise automated banking machines. In the example system,one or more banking computers 20 may be operatively connected to theexample network 102. A banking computer 20 may comprise one of variousforms of computers, including for example, a laptop, surface computer,desktop computer, embedded computer, self-service terminal, automatedbanking machine, or handheld device operative to run applications usefulin banking transactions.

In an alternative embodiment, the terminal 760 may be integrated with ahousing or enclosure. This enclosure may be located inside or outside ofthe bank or at a location remote to the bank. This enclosure may providean additional level of privacy, security and comfort for the customerbefore, during and after the transaction. In addition, the customer maybe more comfortable talking to a terminal during a transaction becausetheir chances of being overheard are lessened. In an example embodiment,the enclosure 756 may include a door 758.

The automated banking machine 760 may limit audio streams to preventrogue audio channels from playing during use, which may prevent theinstallation of rogue applications on the machine and/or rogueconnections to the machine that may be used for purposes of getting amachine user to provide inputs that may then be intercepted and used bycriminals.

The automated banking machine programming may include internal audiovisual files that may be played to a machine user in order to promptthem to provide inputs into the machine. These automated banking machineresident applications may then be authenticated as genuine by theprocessor on the automated banking machine. This may be done bymeasuring the particular application when it is known to be a trustedapplication, and the processor may only execute that application if thecurrent measurements correspond. These types of features are illustratedin U.S. Pat. No. 8,100,323 issued on Jan. 4, 2012, the disclosure ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

In the case of remote audio and video, only a single audio and videochannel may be communicated at once. The machine may utilize a switchingcapability that may allow a remote audio and/or video connection intothe operating system that may provide the audio and video outputs fromthe machine based on authenticating the signal source. This may be doneby having a particular process in the application that may authenticatedata coming from an authorized source. Being able to authenticate thedata may cause software in the XPS software layer to allow video andaudio signals from the remote source to pass into the channel thatcauses it to be played at the automated banking machine.

Before the video and audio data may be sent from the remote source, amessage may be sent to the machine 760 that may be authenticated asgenuine based on time variant data, certificates, signatures or otherverifying information. A secure message sent to the machine may thencause the switching within the application to allow data received on aparticular port to be directed to the video and audio output devices.Likewise, switching would be needed to open the video and audiocommunication from the user at the machine to the remote providersystem.

Alternatively, the machine 760 may receive a message from a differentsource that may operate to cause the machine to open the video and audiochannel from another source. For example, the machine may receive amessage from a particular secure server 90 that may be associated withthe remote service provider station. It is through the server 90 thatcould be authenticated that causes a switching function to connect theaudio and video channel. It may also provide the machine 760 with aparticular code or other digital authenticator that needs to be presentin the video or audio signal in order to allow the output through themachine.

The operation of the computer 20 in conjunction with this server 90would then cause that particular authenticating signal to be included inthe video and audio signals in the next transmission so that it isassured that the signals are coming from the authorized source, ratherthan some rogue source. The next time a connection was needed to beestablished, however, a different authenticator could be given to themachine and included in the particular signals in order to allow thoseto be output.

The machine 760 may utilize a switching capability that may allow aremote audio and/or video connection into the operating system that mayprovide the audio and video outputs from the machine based onauthenticating the signal source. This may be done by having aparticular process in the application that may authenticate data comingfrom an authorized source. Being able to authenticate the data may causesoftware in the XPS software layer to allow video and audio signals fromthe remote source to pass into the channel that causes it to be playedat the automated banking machine.

Alternatively, the video and audio source may be authenticated beforestreaming from a source. The software may authenticate a URL associatedwith the server that it is receiving the video from with a hand shakingprotocol, such as SSL from the encrypted source that the website isauthenticated with certificates. The stream could be authenticatedbetween the server and the recipient. For example, a secure session maybe set up with a remote server that supports video, such as SSL or VPN,then setup a connection between the server and the machine that couldauthenticate the audio feeds and the video could be encrypted with ashared key between the two.

Similar principles may be applied to audio and video coming from themachine 760 so that it is assured that this data is coming from anauthorized source. For example, the signals coming from the machine mayinclude an authenticator that may be based on the machine, time variantvalues, values sent to the machine by the service provider system toopen the audio and video connection, or some other source to assure tothe service provider system that the messages from the particularmachine are not being spoofed.

Whether the terminal 760 is located within or integrated with anenclosure, the enclosure may include additional privacy panels or walls762, such as glass walls. For example, the glass wall(s) 762 of theenclosure 756 may include a liquid crystal material, electrochromicdevice, suspended particle device and the like, whereby the glass wallsmay be turned from clear to frosted or opaque while a customer is makinga transaction within the enclosure. These glass walls may includeelectrically switchable glass or glazing that changes light transmissionproperty when voltage is applied. The glass walls may be operated by aremote control, movement sensor, the flip of a switch, press of a buttonor by the closing or the locking of a door 758, which may complete anelectrical circuit. For example, when an electrical supply is switchedon, the liquid crystal molecules align and light may pass through theglass wall. When the power is switched off, the liquid crystal moleculesmay be randomly oriented thereby scattering light and the glass wallbecomes opaque.

The enclosure may further include soundproof walls 762. For example, theenclosure 756 may include soundproof glass walls or the walls may befabricated out of another material, such as sound insulating fabric,felt of the like that may dampen the outside sounds and prevent othersfrom being able to hear what is occurring within the enclosure. Thus,the customer may complete their banking transaction in quiet whilepossibly being in noisy surroundings. In an alternative embodiment, theenclosure 756 may utilize a film-coated glass, whereby advertising maybe projected on the glass or messages indicating that the enclosure isoccupied when a person is conducting a transaction within.

FIG. 21 illustrates a top view of an enclosure 756 housing a terminal760 therein. FIG. 22 illustrates a top view of an enclosure 756 where aninteractive surface computer 766 may be utilized and housed therein. Insome example embodiments, the surface computer 766 may comprise or belocated on a wall. This surface computer wall may be one side, sectionor portion of an enclosed space or enclosure, such as any appropriategeometric shape. For example, the surface computer may be one side of athree or four-sided structure, such as a triangle, square or rectangle.The other two or three sides of that structure may comprise glass walls(that may switch between clear and opaque), whereby the terminal andenclosure will simply be a three or four sided structure that thecustomer can enter and exit via one of the walls that may act as a door.Any transaction involving a monetary exchange or transfer may becompleted via NFC technology from the interactive surface computer wallto the customer's mobile device. Alternatively, instead of one wallbeing an interactive surface computer, the customer may be presentedwith a video or holographic image of a teller on one of the walls andproceed with the transaction in a verbal manner without the requirementfor any physical actions.

The terminal 760, surface computer 766 and/or the enclosure 756 thatencompasses the terminal 760 may include multiple cameras 768 or gesturerecognition software that may interpret human gestures. Responsive tohaving determined that the particular customer is at the surfacecomputer or terminal, one or more computers may be operative to causethe terminal to provide outputs appropriate for the particular user. Theuser may interact with the terminal by pointing a finger at the displayscreen to instruct a pointer or cursor, for example, to moveaccordingly. For example, gesture recognition software may be beneficialfor customers who speak sign language. In other example embodiments, thesurface computer and/or the shelf as described herein, may allow formultiple users to interact with the surface computer simultaneously. Forexample, an adult couple may complete separate banking transactions atthe same time to speed up the transaction time, whereby one member ofthe couple may deposit money and the other member may be checking thestatus of a different account, withdrawing money, or initiating a loanprocess. In another example, a parent may be completing a bankingtransaction while a child or children may be coloring a picture, playinga game or watching a cartoon on the surface computer to entertainthemselves until their parent is finished.

The enclosure 756 may have an associated ambient intelligence, wherebythe enclosure may be sensitive and responsive to the presence ofindividual users and their preferences. The enclosure may be inoperative connection with one or more computers that receive inputsusable to recognize individual users and provide outputs that cause theenclosure to be tailored to each user's needs as well as change inresponse to each user. Responsive to having determined that theparticular customer is located within the enclosure, one or morecomputers may be operative to cause the terminal or surface computer toprovide outputs appropriate for the particular user. For example, thedatabase of customer preferences may also include preferences related toa desired indoor climate, whereby the enclosure may respond by adjustingthe temperature within the enclosure to suit the customer's preferences.

This environmental adjustment response may be activated by avoice-activated control, wall control or by the identification of thecustomer by any appropriate manner, such as those described herein. Forexample, the environmental adjustment may be activated by an RFID chipor NFC device on the user's identification card, in the user's mobiledevice 764, on the user's person and the like. Similarly to adjustingthe temperature, the enclosure may also adjust the lighting within theenclosure to suit the customer's needs and preferences. In summary, theenclosure may adapt its interior to the needs of each particular user,such as by personalized lighting, audio volume, background music,temperature setting and the like.

In some example embodiments, the terminal 760 and/or enclosure 756 mayinclude an artificial sensate skin device that may mimic thecharacteristics and functions of its analogous living tissue. The skinmay be mechanically flexible. The terminal may include an exterior thatis pleasant to touch. For example, the terminal may be entirely coveredwith or have portions that are covered with a material that customersmay touch or interact with that feels like warm skin, velvet, cotton orthe like. The covering may act as a responsive architecture, whereby thecovering may be mechanically flexible and scalable. The covering maymeasure actual environmental conditions, such as via sensors, to enablethe covering to adapt its form, shape, color, or character responsively,such as via actuators. The covering may be able to alter its form tocontinually reflect the environmental conditions that surround it.

Alternatively, the covering may be of a large size that may act as anenclosure to the terminal. For example, the covering may physicallyconfigure itself to each particular user and/or environment to meetchanging needs or desires for varying situations. The covering mayfunction as an evolving organism that learns and adapts to the user andenvironment. In a situation where the covering acts as an enclosure tothe terminal, the covering may enlarge itself or make itself smallerdepending upon how large of an area is needed. For example, if thecovering is acting as an enclosure for the terminal, the enclosure mayreact to change its size depending upon how many people are standing atthe terminal, such as if a parent has a child or multiple children withthem or if a couple is standing at the terminal together, which mayprovide a more comfortable environment for the user and the user'scompanions while also providing additional security during thetransaction.

This covering may inherit the characteristics of human skin and moveeither in response to vocal outputs by the user or just provide soothingperiodic movement. This covering may be an electronic sensate skin thatmay include many sensing or sensory nodes or inputs and be pressuresensitive. Each node may measure strain, pressure, ambient light, soundand the like, whereby the covering may adapt to external stimuli bymodifying its behavior in response to its environment and/or the user.These nodes may be in communication with one or more of the computers inthe banking network 102.

The covering may provide a computer driven physical responsive surfacethat may be reactive or reflexive to supplied stimuli. The nodes may bedensely distributed over a surface or throughout a material and be ableto emulate the functionality and characteristics of a biological skin.This covering may be able to vary in temperature. For example, duringthe warmer summer months the covering may be able to feel cooler to thetouch. Conversely, during the cooler winter months the covering may beable to feel warmer to the touch. Alternatively, once the terminalidentifies the current user, the covering may respond to instructionsfrom a database and project a certain predetermined temperature that thespecific user prefers.

It should be understood that the arrangements shown are this approach isan example, and that other arrangements and embodiments can be used. Forexample, other arrangements can include a plurality of service providerstations as needed to assist a large number of customer stations. Theservice provider stations can be located at a common location, whereeach service provider station is able to communicate with each customerstation. The arrangement allows the next available service provider tothen assist the next customer waiting in a holding queue. Otherembodiments enable the next available service provider to quickly assistany waiting VIPs.

Thus the new apparatus, systems, and methods of the example embodimentsdescribed may achieve one or more of the above stated objectives,eliminate difficulties encountered in the use of prior devices andsystems, solve problems and attain desirable results as describedherein. In the foregoing description certain terms have been used forbrevity, clarity and understanding, however no unnecessary limitationsare to be implied therefrom because such terms are for descriptivepurposes and are intended to be broadly construed. Moreover, thedescriptions and illustrations given herein are by way of examples andthe invention is not limited to the details shown and described.

In the following claims any feature described as a means for performinga function shall be construed as encompassing any means known to thoseskilled in the art as being capable of performing the recited function,and shall not be limited to the features shown in the foregoingdescription or mere equivalents thereof.

Having described the features, discoveries and principles of theinvention, the manner in which it is constructed and operated, and theadvantages and useful results attained; the new and useful structures,devices, elements, arrangements, parts, combinations, systems,equipment, operations, methods and relationships are set forth in theappended claims.

1. A tangible, non-transitory computer readable medium of execution withinstructions encoded thereon for execution by a processor, and whenexecuted operable to: automatically through an operation of an automatedbanking machine, wherein the automated banking machine comprises adisplay, a check acceptor, and a card reader; wherein the processor isassociated with an automated banking machine; obtain an electronic imagecorresponding to one side of a user input check from a check acceptor;resolve check data from the electronic image, wherein the check dataincludes a check amount; request identification of a user of theautomated banking machine the form of card data responsive to the checkamount exceeding a predetermined threshold amount; and obtain first carddata read through the operation of the card reader; verify the firstcard data corresponds to an account holder of the financial account, thecard data to be sent to a second transaction authorization computerremote from the machine that is different from a first transactionauthorization computer; obtain second data through operation of the cardreader, the second card reader comprises a hologram; verify the hologramis authentic; and automatically cause the check amount to be credited tothe financial account through the operation of the first transactionauthorization computer remote from the automated banking machineresponsive at least in part to verification of the first card data andverification that the hologram is authentic.
 2. The computer readablemedium according to claim 1, wherein the automated banking machinefurther includes a cash dispenser; wherein the instructions are furtheroperable to cause the cash dispenser to operate to dispense a cashamount corresponding to the check amount responsive at least in part tothe second transaction authorization computer.
 3. The computer readablemedium according to claim 2, wherein the second transactionauthorization computer causes the cash dispenser operation responsive atleast in part to at least one input received by the second authorizationcomputer through an input device activated by a human service provider.4. The computer readable medium according to claim 1, wherein the cardreader is configured to read data from a driver's license; and whereinthe first card data corresponds to data read from a driver's license. 5.The computer readable medium according to claim 4, wherein the automatedbanking machine is associated with a camera, wherein the camera has afield of view adjacent the machine; and wherein the instructions arefurther operable to enable signals corresponding to video to becommunicated between the second transaction authorization computer andthe machine, whereby two-way video communication with a service providerat the second transaction authorization can be conducted.
 6. Thecomputer readable medium according to claim 1, wherein the automatedbanking machine further includes a printer; wherein the instructions arefurther operable to cause the printer to print a document responsive atleast in part to one of a group consisting of an automatic operation ofthe first transaction authorization computer, and at least one humanprovided input received through at least one input device in operativeconnection with the second transaction authorization computer.
 7. Thecomputer readable medium according to claim 1, further comprising: asecond card reader; wherein the second card reader is operable toreceive a card for determining the financial account on whichtransactions are authorized to be conducted automatically throughoperation of the automated banking machine.
 8. A tangible,non-transitory computer readable medium of execution with instructionsencoded thereon for execution by a processor, and when executed operableto: automatically through an operation of an automated banking machine,wherein the automated banking machine comprises a display, a checkacceptor, and a card reader; wherein the processor is associated with anautomated banking machine; obtain an electronic image corresponding toone side of a user input check from a check acceptor; resolve check datafrom the electronic image, wherein the check data includes a checkamount; request identification of a user of the automated bankingmachine the form of card data responsive to the check amount exceeding apredetermined threshold amount; and obtain first card data read throughthe operation of the card reader; verify the first card data correspondsto an account holder of the financial account, the card data to be sentto a second transaction authorization computer remote from the machinethat is different from a first transaction authorization computer;obtain second data through operation of the card reader, the second cardreader comprises a bar code; verify the bar code is authentic; andautomatically cause the check amount to be credited to the financialaccount through the operation of the first transaction authorizationcomputer remote from the automated banking machine responsive at leastin part to verification of the first card data and verification that thebar code is authentic.
 9. The computer readable medium according toclaim 8, wherein the automated banking machine further includes a cashdispenser; wherein the instructions are further operable to cause thecash dispenser to operate to dispense a cash amount corresponding to thecheck amount responsive at least in part to the second transactionauthorization computer.
 10. The computer readable medium according toclaim 9, wherein the second transaction authorization computer causesthe cash dispenser operation responsive at least in part to at least oneinput received by the second authorization computer through an inputdevice activated by a human service provider.
 11. The computer readablemedium according to claim 8, wherein the card reader is configured toread data from a driver's license; and wherein the first card datacorresponds to data read from a driver's license.
 12. The computerreadable medium according to claim 11, wherein the automated bankingmachine is associated with a camera, wherein the camera has a field ofview adjacent the machine; and wherein the instructions are furtheroperable to enable signals corresponding to video to be communicatedbetween the second transaction authorization computer and the machine,whereby two-way video communication with a service provider at thesecond transaction authorization can be conducted.
 13. The computerreadable medium according to claim 8, wherein the automated bankingmachine further includes a printer; wherein the instructions are furtheroperable to cause the printer to print a document responsive at least inpart to one of a group consisting of an automatic operation of the firsttransaction authorization computer, and at least one human providedinput received through at least one input device in operative connectionwith the second transaction authorization computer.
 14. The computerreadable medium according to claim 8, further comprising: a second cardreader; wherein the second card reader is operable to receive a card fordetermining the financial account on which transactions are authorizedto be conducted automatically through operation of the automated bankingmachine.
 15. A tangible, non-transitory computer readable medium ofexecution with instructions encoded thereon for execution by aprocessor, and when executed operable to: determine a financial accounton which transactions are authorized to be conducted automaticallythrough an operation of an automated banking machine, wherein theautomated banking machine comprises a display, a check acceptor, and acard reader; wherein the processor is associated with an automatedbanking machine; obtain an electronic image corresponding to one side ofa user input check from a check acceptor; resolve check data from theelectronic image, wherein the check data includes a check amount;request identification of a user of the automated banking machine theform of card data responsive to the check amount exceeding apredetermined threshold amount; and obtain card data read through theoperation of the card reader, the card data comprises first card datavisible on the card and second card data encoded in a magnetic stripe;verify the first card data matches the second card data; verify the carddata comprises data that corresponds to an account holder of thefinancial account, the card data to be sent to a second transactionauthorization computer remote from the machine that is different from afirst transaction authorization computer; and automatically cause thecheck amount to be credited to the financial account through theoperation of the first transaction authorization computer remote fromthe automated banking machine responsive at least in part toverification of the card data.
 16. The computer readable mediumaccording to claim 15, wherein the automated banking machine furtherincludes a cash dispenser; wherein the instructions are further operableto cause the cash dispenser to operate to dispense a cash amountcorresponding to the check amount responsive at least in part to thesecond transaction authorization computer.
 17. The computer readablemedium according to claim 16, wherein the second transactionauthorization computer causes the cash dispenser operation responsive atleast in part to at least one input received by the second authorizationcomputer through an input device activated by a human service provider.18. The computer readable medium according to claim 15, wherein the cardreader is configured to read data from a driver's license; and whereinthe card data corresponds to data read from a driver's license.
 19. Thecomputer readable medium according to claim 18, wherein the automatedbanking machine is associated with a camera, wherein the camera has afield of view adjacent the machine; and wherein the instructions arefurther operable to enable signals corresponding to video to becommunicated between the second transaction authorization computer andthe machine, whereby two-way video communication with a service providerat the second transaction authorization can be conducted.
 20. Thecomputer readable medium according to claim 15, wherein the automatedbanking machine further includes a printer; wherein the instructions arefurther operable to cause the printer to print a document responsive atleast in part to one of a group consisting of an automatic operation ofthe first transaction authorization computer, and at least one humanprovided input received through at least one input device in operativeconnection with the second transaction authorization computer.